Inbee Park wrapped up her third-consecutive KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in style firing a bogey-free, 68, to finish at 19-under for the event and cruise to a five-shot victory over Sei Young Kim.
“It feels amazing,” Park said. “It feels amazing to win three times in a row. Obviously putting my name alongside like Annika Sorenstam or Patty Berg, legends of golf, just being a part of history of this golf tournament, I feel extremely honored, and I can't believe that I just did it.”
The victory is the sixth Major of Park’s career tying Pat Bradley, Kathy Whitworth, Amy Alcott and Betsy King for ninth on the LPGA’s all-time list. The victory also moves Park past Se Ri Pak (5) and Yani Tseng (5) for the most Major victories by an Asian born player.
“She had great accomplishments in women's golf, inspired a lot of young Korean golfers like me,” Park said of Pak. “To win more majors than her, I never thought I would be able to win more majors than her or tournaments than her. The accomplishments that she's had, it was just nearly impossible to get, but slowly getting there.”
Park is projected to retake the top spot in the Rolex Rankings for the third time in her career with her win at Westchester Country Club and also moves to the top of the LPGA Money List and Rolex Player of the Year Rankings.
“This definitely really elevated our major championship for sure,” Park said of the event. “This tournament's been really a true major golf tournament for us, for the LPGA. The golf setup, the venue, everything, the facility, the fans, everything has just been phenomenal for us.”
Sei Young Kim finished second at 14-under while Lexi Thompson rounded out the top-3 at 12-under thanks to a final round 66.
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