HAPPY FEELS FOR INBEE PARK
Inbee Park, a 19-time winner on the LPGA Tour shot a bogey-free round on Friday, carding a second-round 67 for a share of third at the Kia Classic. Park has never missed the cut in all 10 Kia Classics dating back to the inaugural tournament in 2010, yet even the Hall of Famer, famous for her hot putter, found her patience been tested on Aviara’s Poa Annua greens.
“This week my putter seems to be working a little bit better and [it’s been] really good actually,” said Park, who needed 28 putts in her lap around Aviara. “These greens are really tough to read and you have to be really patient. That's what I try to do, and it has been working very well.”
Park has enjoyed her week on the West Coast, taking full advantage of the close proximity to the beach and the Southern California weather.
“Overall I had some good results in San Diego/Carlsbad, so I’m really happy to be coming to California and playing,” said Park, whose best Kia Classic finishes are runner-up showings in 2010 and 2016. “It's always really fun to play over here. Nice weather and such a nice atmosphere. I really enjoyed my time with my dog on the beach in off times, so, yeah, it's been a thrill.”
NEW EQUIPMENT, NEW OUTLOOK FOR SUWANNAPURA
Since her breakthrough victory at the 2018 Marathon Classic, Thidapa Suwannapura has been looking for that next taste of LPGA Tour glory. While the 26-year-old Thai has not missed a cut since that victory in July, she also hasn’t cracked the top 10 in the ensuing 18 events.
This week at Aviara, Suwannapura hopes some equipment changes might help break that drought. With all new Srixon irons in the bag and Titleist Pro-V1x balls on the tee, she finds herself in a tie for the lead with World No. 1 Sung Hyun Park heading into the weekend.
“I just decide to change it last week and this week. So far it's been better. I hit it better,” said Suwannapura, who made the equipment changes at last week’s Bank of Hope Founders Cup. “Distant is longer. The irons spin more. And plus, like the iron from Srixon, I feel like I hit it more solid and easier. So I feel comfortable to attack the pin more.”
PLAYER NOTES
Rolex Rankings No. 1 Sung Hyun Park (68-66)
- Park’s second-round 66 is tied for her best round at the Kia Classic; she shot a 66 in the second round in 2016
- Her 36-hole 134 is her best 36-hole score at the Kia Classic, besting the 137 she shot in 2016
- She hit 12 of 14 greens and 16 of 18 fairways, with 28 putts
- Park is in her third season on the LPGA Tour; she has six career victories, including major wins at the 2017 U.S. Women’s Open and 2018 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship
- This is Park’s fourth event of the 2019 LPGA Tour season; she won the HSBC Women’s World Championship and finished T14 at last week’s Bank of Hope Founders Cup
- She is competing in her fourth Kia Classic; she tied for fourth in 2016 and 2017 but missed the cut in 2018
Rolex Rankings No. 90 Thidapa Suwannapura (68-66)
- Suwannapura’s second-round 66 is tied for the third-lowest round of her LPGA Tour career; she shot 64 twice, 65 once and this is her fifth career 66, most recently at the 2017 MCKAYSON New Zealand Women’s Open
- Her 36-hole 134 is tied for the second-lowest 36-hole score of her LPGA Tour career; she shot 133 at the 2018 Walmart NW Arkansas Championship and 134 three previous times, including in her victory at the 2018 Marathon Classic
- She hit 13 of 14 fairways and 13 of 18 greens, with 26 putts
- Suwannapura is in her eighth season on the LPGA Tour; she has one victory at the 2018 Marathon Classic and two other top-10 finishes
- This is Suwannapura’s seventh event of the 2019 LPGA Tour season; her best finish is T17 at the ISPS Handa Vic Open and has yet to miss a single cut
- She is competing in her seventh Kia Classic; her best finish is T26 in 2018
Rolex Rankings No. 8 Inbee Park (68-67)
- Park’s second-round 67 is her next lowest round of the 2019 LPGA Tour season, she shot a 66 in the second round of the Bank of Hope Founders Cup
- She hit 11 of 14 greens and 15 of 18 fairways
- Park is in her 13th season on the LPGA Tour; she is a 19-time winner including seven majors—her last win was at the 2018 Bank of Hope Founders Cup
- This is Park’s third event of the 2019 LPGA Tour season; her best finish is 14th at the HSBC Women’s World Championship
- She is competing in her 10th Kia Classic; her best finish is second in 2010 and 2016, with two additional top-10s and four top-20 finishes
Rolex Rankings No. 78 Chella Choi (65-70)
- Choi’s 36-hole 135 is her best 36-hole score at the Kia Classic, besting the 138 she shot in 2016
- She hit 13 of 14 greens and 13 of 18 fairways, with 29 putts
- Choi is in her 11th season on the LPGA Tour; she won the 2015 Marathon Classic presented by Owen Corning and O-I
- This is Choi’s fifth event of the 2019 LPGA Tour season; her best finish is T34 at last week’s Bank of Hope Founders Cup
- She is competing in her 10th Kia Classic; her best finish is fourth in 2014 and she has three other top-20 finishes
QUICK HITS
- Players in the top 20 represent 13 different countries (Thailand, Republic of Korea, Australia, Colombia, Spain, Mexico, China, USA, England, France, Japan, Northern Ireland, New Zealand)
- Jodi Ewart Shadoff made a hole-in-one on the par-3 third from 114 yards with a pitching wedge; she is T34 at -2
- Yani Tseng withdrew before the second round citing back soreness
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