RANCHO MIRAGE, CALIFORNIA | As the final player to qualify into this years' Chevron Championship, 26-year-old Annie Park finished her round on Friday in second place after the morning wave. Ironically, Park wouldn't have qualified had she shot a 69 last Sunday instead of the 68 she fired at the JTCB Classic presented by Barbasol. That moved Park into tie for 23rd in Carlsbad and just under the wire to get into the season’s first major.

She's taken full advantage in the desert so far, but still hasn't met her goal. Park said, "Honestly, my personal goal since last week and this week was to have at least seven birdies (in a round). I've been one short since Sunday, yesterday, and today."

Park ended the day with her best 36-hole score ever at a major. Her key to success is having fun. Despite playing by herself in the first two rounds, she's making the most of the last time in Mission Hills.

"There is a lot of talking to myself, and I've been stuck with my caddie's dad jokes,” Park said. “But I just overall started having fun on the golf course again last week and have been enjoying it this week as well."

Annie took a two-month mental-health break in 2021 to discover her love for the game and figure out what previously made her the no.1 amateur in the world. Park said, "To be transparent, I was miserable on the golf course, and I was like, you know what, I'm going to take a two-month break. I withdrew out of Evian, British, and two other tournaments. Last week was the first time I started to enjoy it again. Not with golf, but just in general, being able to see the spectators again and having this newfound passion for golf."

Instead of trying to imitate returning Champions and the 19 top 20 world-ranked golfers participating this year, Park studied herself. "I have been studying my own swing and working with Corey, and it's been kind of helping me guide my DNA and base foundation out there," Park said.

Her mindset shift and technical adjustments reflect Park's eight-under-par cumulative score. She said, "Overall, it was a great day, and I feel better about my long game. I've been putting a lot better. I made some good putts. I did leave some out there, but overall I'm stroking it pretty solid."

Park also incorporated some new additions to her bag that have paid off. She said, "I changed to a new putter, and it's been helping out a lot. I've added new iron shafts and a new driver. I added the Scotty Cameron and the TSi3 driver."

Because of the odd-numbered field size, someone had to go out alone, and Park, as the last person to qualify, drew that straw. But she hasn't let it faze her.

"Playing by myself was weird yesterday,” she said. “But today I got used to it. When I made the turn and started waiting on players in the group in front of me, it started to feel like normal golf all over again."

However, she doesn't consider it a true disadvantage. Park said, "To be honest. It could be an advantage because you have a little more time to yourself. But overthinking is not always great."

Annie's triumph over the last two days is a reminder that female athletes need to prioritize themselves first and be wary of burnout. Park knew stepping away from the golf grind was necessary, and she wouldn't be where she is right now without making that decision.

"The biggest thing I learned from my two-month break and being my seventh year on tour, which is crazy, is just enjoying the little moments,” she said. “Being grateful for the little things and being out here playing golf."

American Underdog Annie Park Lurks Behind Hinako Shibuno

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