Since falling to Lydia Ko 15 weeks ago, Inbee Park has been looking to regain the number one spot in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings.
Park and Stacy Lewis traded spots at the top for nearly two years before Ko took over the number one ranking in January at the Coates Golf Championship Presented by R+L Carriers. Currently ranked second, Park’s win two weeks ago at the Volunteers of America North Texas Shootout Presented by JTBC has positioned her to retake the top spot.
“It's some place I’ve always been wanting to go obviously,” Park said Wednesday. “Even if you know you have been in the position, I really want it.”
There are a few scenarios in which Park can become the top ranked player in the world this week at the Kingsmill Championship Presented by JTBC. Park can return to No. 1 with a win and Ko finishing in a three-way tie for second or worse. Or, Park can become No. 1 with a runner-up finish and Ko finishing in a three-way tie for 11th or worse. Park can also move to the top spot with a two-way tie for second and Ko finishing 37th or worse.
In her four starts at Kingsmill Resort, Park has two missed cuts, a T-16 finish and a seventh place finish in 2013.
“I played two years ago. It was really wet then and the golf course was playing a little bit longer than this year. This year the ball seems like it's running a lot further and we're hitting a lot more short irons. I'm guessing there will be more birdies out there and good scoring. It's going to come down to I think good short irons, and obviously the putting.”
Putting is where Park has found success throughout her career, ranking first in putts per GIR last season and fourth in putting average. Before her win in Texas, Park made a switch to a two-ball putter, giving her the confidence she was looking for.
“I just feel like I feel a lot more comfortable with the putter,” Park said. “If I can putt it good like Texas, I think I'll be in contention a lot more often. It'll be good to see the ball go in the hole a lot more often. Hitting the clutch putts and holing the clutch putts will be exciting.”
This week Park will be able to keep a close eye on her chances of overtaking Ko for the top spot. The two are grouped together along with rookie Sei Young Kim on Thursday and Friday.
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