Annie Park fired a bogey-free final-round 63 to capture her maiden LPGA Tour title at the ShopRite LPGA Classic.
Starting the day four shots back of overnight leader Sei Young Kim, the Long Island native came out of the gate red hot, posting birdies on Nos. 3, 4 and 5 to quickly move into the hunt at 11 under.
After three-consecutive pars on hole Nos. 6-8, Park reeled off three birdies and an eagle in a six-hole stretch (Nos. 9-14) to take the outright lead.
The former USC star then cruised home with four-consecutive pars to sign for an 8-under 63 and three-day total of 16-under par, one clear of Japan’s Sakura Yokomine, who shot a low-round 61.
“My putter was great,” said Park. “It seemed like every putt I looked at went in. If I said I wasn’t nervous that would be a lie. But I just focused on each shot.”
Marina Alex aced the par-3 17th en route to a 64 to secure the bronze at 14 under 199, one ahead of Kim (70) who finished at 13 under. Sandra Gal (65) and Su Oh (68) rounded out the top 5 at 12 under.
The win earned Park earned $262,500 and 500 points, which will move her to 30th place in the Race to CME Globe with 613 points.
TOP 10 LEADERS
1 Annie Park -16
2 Sakura Yokomine -15
3 Marina Alex -14
4 Sei Young Kim -13
5 Sandra Gal -12
5 Su-Hyun Oh -12
7 Wichanee Meechai -11
7 Ashleigh Buhai -11
7 Mariah Stackhouse -11
10 In Gee Chun -10
10 Beatriz Recari -10
10 Ally McDonald -10
10 Celine Herbin -10
ROAD TO VICTORY
After Round 1: T25 -2 (69)
After Round 2: T4 -8 (65)
After Round 3: 1st -16 (63)
WINNER’S STATS
Driving: 266.83 yards
Fairways: 76% (32/42)
Greens: 81% (44/54)
Par 3s: -2 (2 Birdies, 10 Pars)
Par 4s: -9 (10 Birdies, 22 Pars, 1 Bogey)
Par 5s: -5 (1 Eagle, 4 Birdies, 4 Pars, 1 Bogey)
Scores: 1 Eagle, 16 Birdies, 35 Pars, 2 Bogeys
Key Stretches (Final Round): Nos. 3-5 (Birdie-Birdie-Birdie); Nos. 9-11 (Eagle-Par-Birdie)
QUOTABLE
“I can’t really describe it in words. I’ve been through a lot of struggles, and thank my family for being here. There are so many people that supported me. Without them, I can’t be here where I am today, so I thank them so much.”
– Annie Park
