South Korean star Sung Hyun Park posted a final-round 3-under 69 at Kemper Lakes Golf Club and then edged Nasa Hataoka and So Yeon Ryu in a playoff to capture the 2018 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.
Starting the day four back of overnight leader Ryu, the 24-year old Park was flawless, finishing her final day in Chicago with three birdies en route to a four-day score of 10-under par.
After a 20-foot birdie on the 16th by Ryu, it seemed like Park’s flawless effort would be for naught, as the 27-year old Korean went up two with two to play. But an errant tee shot by Ryu on the par-3 17th found the water, leading to a costly double bogey, and a three-way logjam on top.
On the first sudden-death hole, No. 18, Hataoka was eliminated as the two Koreans made birdie. Playing the par-4 16th for playoff hole No. 2, Ryu was away and slid her 20-foot birdie putt just to the left of the cup.
Park didn’t miss hers, and when it dropped the normally stoic Korean broke down in tears.
“I had another win before this one, but of course it’s been a tough year for me since there five missed cuts, and even though it was a really tough year, I think I did really good play this week, and I think all the work I’ve done has paid off today,” explained Park.
“That’s what really made me cry.”
The win was Park’s second of the season (Texas Shootout) and second career major (2017 U.S. Women’s Open). She earned $547,500 for the win, along with 625 points.
FINAL TOP 10
POS-PLAYER-FINAL SCORE (FINAL RD)
1. Sung Hyun Park -10 (-3)*
2. So Yeon Ryu -10 (+1)
2. Nasa Hataoka -10 (-8)
4. Jessica Korda -7 (-4)
4. Angel Yin -7 (-1)
6. Charley Hull -6 (-5)
6. Brooke Henderson -6 (+2)
8. Jacqui Concolino -5 (-5)
8. Lizette Salas -5 (-2)
8. In-Kyung Kim -5 (-1)
* Playoff
PLAYOFF SCORING
1. HOLE 18
Park – Birdie
Ryu – Birdie
Hataoka – Par
2. HOLE 16
Park – Birdie
Ryu – Par
TOP 5 CASHERS
1st – $547,500 (Park)
2nd – $290,806 (Hataoka)
2nd – $290,806 (Ryu)
4th – $170,709 (Korda)
4th – $170,709 (Yin)
EARLY-ROUND POSITIONING
ROUND ONE
1. Sung Hyun Park -6
2. Jessica Korda -5
2. Jaye Marie Green -5
2. Brooke Henderson -5
2. Brittany Altomare -5
ROUND TWO
1. So Yeon Ryu -6 (69-69)
1. Brooke M. Henderson -6 (67-71)
1. Sung Hyun Park -6 (66-72)
ROUND THREE
1. So Yeon Ryu -11 (69-69-67)
2. Brooke Henderson -8 (67-71-70)
3. Sung Hyun Park -7 (66-72-71)
WINNING STATS
Driving Distance: 270.50 yards
Fairways-Hit: 37/56, 66.0%
Greens-Hit: 50/72, 69.4%
Putt: 114/28.5
Par-3 Scoring: -1 (2 Birdies, 13 Pars, 1 Bogey)
Par-4 Scoring: -5 (6 Birdies, 33 Pars, 1 Bogey)
Par-5 Scoring: -4 (5 Birdies, 10 Pars, 1 Bogey)
Total Scoring: -10 (13 Birdies, 46 Pars, 3 Bogeys)
VIDEO: THE WINNING PUTT
QUOTABLE
“Actually this is my first time feeling like this kind of emotion, like being this emotional, and I was really happy. Like I couldn’t help that.”
– Sung Hyun Park