Park Returns to Winner's Circle


Inbee Park fired a 10-under 61 on Sunday to win the Manulife Financial Classic. The $1.5 million event took place at Grey Silo Golf Course in Waterloo, Ont.

The 25-year-old South Korean, who gave up her No. 1 ranking to Stacy Lewis last week after holding the position for 59 weeks, carded five birdies on the front nine and five more on the back to match Grey Silo's course record and finish at 23-under 261, three shots in front of Cristie Kerr.

Over 72 holes Park posted 24 birdies and only one bogey en route to her 10th LPGA victory and first since the U.S. Women's Open last June. The LPGA will take next week off. Park will return to defend her Open title in two weeks at Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina.

Park said the secret to her turnaround this week was her improved work on the short grass. "Definitely, the putter is definitely the key," she told reporters. "I've been hitting the ball consistently all year, just my putter's just not been wanting to do its job. This week, obviously, it did its job."

She also noted that the win was a welcome relief. "I've got to say, definitely a little bit pressure off of me," Park added. "At the same time, I think I needed a little bit of motivation. I just didn't have any win after the U.S. Open. I was playing good but not great.

"So yeah, I think last week was a very good motivation and inspiration for me. So this week, I thought I needed to step it up a little bit."

Despite closing with a 63 on Sunday, Kerr couldn't catch Park. But the 16-time LPGA winner won't be going home disappointed. "It was great, a great week," the 36-year-old Floridian said. "I did great with my focus. I played great. I can't complain."

Alone in third at 18-under 266 was 54-hole leader, Shanshan Feng, who closed with a 68, while seven behind Park were Spain's Belen Mozo (65) and New Zealand's Lydia Ko (68).

Lewis rallied with a 63 to end up tied for sixth at 15-under with fellow American Michelle Wie (69). Sharing eighth at 14-under 270 were South Korea's Chella Choi (64) and Norway's Suzann Pettersen (66).

Park's victory, her first in 21 LPGA starts (she won Ladies European Tour event three months ago in China) was worth $225,000. She tied the previous course record set by defending champion Hee Young Park (no relation), who ended up in a tie for 10th at 13-under with three others.

For complete scoring details, visit www.lpga.com.