Inbee Park rallies to win LPGA Malaysia

Inbee Park won the LPGA Malaysia title yesterday, sinking birdies on four out of her first five holes on the back nine for a four-under 67, denying compatriot Na-yeon Choi a successful title defense. Park, the current LPGA Money List leader and winner of the US Women’s Open in 2008, claimed her second title of the season and third of her career, finishing with 15-under 269 to win by two strokes. Choi, who won the title by one stroke last year, had a double bogey on 17 and finished as runner-up after a final-round 71 while Hall of Famer Karrie Webb of Australia finished third, a stroke further back after a 68. One stroke behind for fourth was Scottish Catriona Matthew (67), a shot ahead of So-yeon Ryu of South Korea. There were anxious moments for Park as she dropped one shot on the 17th and her tee-shot from the 18th flew straight into the bunker. However, Park managed to contain the damage and relief was written all over her face as she walked back to the clubhouse. “I was nervous coming to the 17th and 18th as I knew I was leading and it was tough from there,” Park said. “It’s a bogey-bogey finish but very happy still to win the tournament.” Park said she knew she had to put up a similar performance as her third round where she shot a six-under 65 to move to second on the leaderboard. “I need to go really low to win and playing aggressive helped me and got me the birdies.My golf has improved a lot, hitting, chipping and putting. I am also happy there were no delays today.” Park came to the tournament off back-to-back runner up finishes at the Ricoh Women’s British Open and the Canadian Women’s Open. World number one Yani Tseng tied for 49th spot with a 71 for her total of five-over 289. World No. 2 Stacy Lewis of United States put up a three-under 68 for a share of 19th spot on four-under 280. The LPGA Tour continues its Asian swing with the HanaBank Championship scheduled for this weekend in South Korea, followed by stops in Taiwan and Japan.