Park Edges Lewis in Taiwan


After Inbee Park entered the final round with four-stroke lead, the 26-year-old Korean managed to hold off a charge from Stacy Lewis and win the Fubon LPGA Taiwan Championship. The $2 million tournament was held at Miramar Country Club in Taipei.

In the first three rounds Park carded a 64, 62 and 69. But on Sunday in a light rain she posted a 71 that included three birdies and two bogeys. Park ended up at 22-under 266, two shots ahead of Lewis, who recorded a 69.

Park said the win, worth $300,000, was a personal gift. She has a new husband, Gi Hyeob-nam, whom she married last month. "I think this will be my wedding gift for myself," she said. "It's a good feeling and maybe people who said, 'She's not going to play as well as when she was not married.' I think we can put that wrong."

Park took over the top position in women's golf a week ago, replacing Lewis atop the Rolex Ranking.

Lewis put some pressure on Park early, posting four birdies and a bogey to make the turn in 3-under 33. But the 29-year-old couldn't quite get over the hump on the home half, carding a birdie and a bogey.

"I played great," Lewis told reporters. "I really got off to a really good start, and just the middle of the round, didn't quite make the putts that I needed to. Just I hung in there all day and just made Inbee work for it. That was the goal, and you give Inbee four shots, it's a tough task to overcome, and you know, she hit the shots when she needed to coming in.

"I don't think this is the last time we'll be battling at the end of a tournament," Lewis added. "I think we're both playing some really good golf right now. It's unfortunate, I guess, for the fans it's the end of the season, but we have a few tournaments left and hopefully we'll do it again."

Finishing three back was No. 3 Lydia Ko, who had a 66, while six behind was Spain's Azahara Munoz (69). China's Shanshan Feng, who began the final round tied for second with Lewis, stumbled to a 76 to end up in sixth.

Reigning U.S. Women's Open champion Michelle Wie carded her second straight 72 over the weekend to finish tied for 20th at 282 with, among others, defending champion Suzann Pettersen of Norway.

For all the scores, visit www.lpga.com.