Park In-bee wins LPGA Ochoa Invitational

Park In-bee (27) ranked second both in the prize money rankings and the player of the year standing of the LPGA tour last year. The top contender in both categories last year was Stacy Lewis of the U.S.

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Park was just five points shy of the top contender in the player of the year award. Park may as well felt disappointed since she had received at least one honor each year, including the Bear Trophy award (the fewest par prize) in 2012 and the player of the year award and the top earner prize in 2013.

Is it because she felt enough to rank just once No. 2, a standing that she does not necessarily prefer? Park kicked off competition with Lydia Ko (18) in individuals race for multiple titles by clinching the title of the Lorena Ochoa Invitational championship of the LPGA tour, which ended on Monday. In the fourth round of the tournament at Mexico Golf Club (par 72) in Mexico City on the day, Park garnered eight birdies without a bogey to post 8-under 64, her best score for this season, securing 18-under 270 overall to rank atop in the tournament.

Seeking her first win in the 73rd attempt in the LPGA tour, Carlota Ciganda of Spain played 9-under 63, her record for fewest putts, but could hardly overcome the invincible Park, who displayed almost perfect play throughout the 18 holes. Park displayed incredible capability and performance and she knows how to win, said Ciganda, who won the runner-up prize by a three-par difference in the event.

With the latest title, Park added 30 points to her overall score for the player of the year prize, narrowing her gap with top-ranked Lydia Ko, who did not attend the championship, to three points. As Park stayed focused at Holes 17 and 18, she garnered birdies and managed to post 69.433 pars to overtake Ko (69.449 pars) to rank atop. She also added 200,000 dollars from the latest title to post 2,570,095 dollars in total prize money for this season, narrowing her gap with the top-ranked Ko (2,758,417 dollars) in the prize money rankings.

Park will stage her final race to rise to the top spot against Ko, who is seeking to clinch the title for two consecutive events, at the Tour Championship (500,000 dollars up for grab for the winner), this seasons last tournament that will take place in Naples, Florida on Thursday.

As she righteously evaluated to be a "flawless play by herself, Park displayed performance in the zenith of her career at the latest event. Her "perfect putting" was truly impressive. With an average of 26.5 strokes per round for four days, Park boasted of computer-like precision in displaying perfect sense in shots, which was evidenced by her missing the fairway and the green just once each in the fourth round. She has only one point to go to reach the necessary score of 27 points to become a Hall of Famer.

Last years regrettable performance motivated me to perform harder and better this year", Park said. "Since I have secured multiple opportunities by winning the latest title, I have anticipation for the last remaining championship. I dont want to return home (in Korea) empty-handed. I will come home with something in my hands.