Each player has their own way they go about winning. For some, they’re more comfortable winning from ahead, extending their lead to as many strokes as possible and cruising to victory. Tiger Woods lived by this practice for many years and so far has never been able to come from behind to win a major championship, all of his major wins came when he held at least a share of the 54-hole lead. For others, they enjoy the chase, coming from several strokes back to grab a win.
For Inbee Park, she’s done a little bit of both, and then some.
Her versatility and strength as a player in major championships has enabled her to extend her 54-hole lead for victory, come from several strokes behind to win, and come out on top in multiple playoffs. Park’s success in the majors culminated in July with her victory at the RICOH Women’s British Open where she clinched the Career Grand Slam and her place in history as just the seventh player in the history of the game to accomplish the feat. All the experience she gained through those prior major championships led her to that point, equipping her with the skills, talents and game she needed to get the win. Here’s a look back at how Park was able to win each of her seven major championships.
2008 U.S. Women's Open
19-year old Inbee Park won her first major championship at the U.S. Women's Open at Interlachen Country Club, making history as the youngest winner in the history of the event.
2013 ANA Inspiration (Kraft Nabisco Championship)
Inbee Park's second major championship victory came several years after clinching her first. She led by as many as six-strokes en route to capturing the then titled Kraft Nabisco Championship.
2013 KPMG Women's PGA Championship (Wegmans LPGA Championship)
Inbee Park made history with her second consecutive major win in 2013 at the then titled Wegmans LPGA Championship, becoming the first to win the season's first two major championships since Annika Sorenstam in 2005.
2013 U.S. Women's Open
Inbee Park's historic run in 2013 continued at the U.S. Women's Open where she captured her third consecutive major championship, second U.S. Women's Open title and became the first to win the season's first three majors since Babe Zaharias in 1950.
2014 KPMG Women's PGA Championship (Wegmans LPGA Championship)
Inbee Park made it back-to-back wins at the then titled Wegmans LPGA Championship in 2014, coming from behind to defeat Brittany Lincicome in a playoff for her fifth major title and second consecutive win in this event.
2015 KPMG Women's PGA Championship
The third time was a charm for Inbee Park who won her third straight KPMG Women's PGA Championship in 2015 with her five-stroke victory over Sei Young Kim for her sixth major title.
2015 RICOH Women's British Open
Inbee Park found the missing piece of her puzzle at the RICOH Women's British Open, clinching the championship at Turnberry to complete the Career Grand Slam, making history as just the seventh player on the LPGA Tour to accomplish the feat.