Park Overcomes Pressure
The expectations for Sung Hyun Park coming into the 2018 season were gigantic. She was coming off a rookie season that saw her win the U.S. Women’s Open and claim co-Player of the Year honors.
Prior to the Volunteers of America LPGA Texas Classic, she struggled to match the success from a year ago. She had just one top 10 finish and missed two cuts, which wore on her.
“Since I did so well last year, I felt a lot more pressure this year,” admitted Park in the media center after winning at Old American Golf Club. “After this win, I feel like I can finish out the season with a lot less pressure.”
The 24-year-old took the week off prior to Texas to practice her short game. There has been a lot of chatter this year about Park’s struggles with her short game. Last year, she ranked 40th in putting average. This year, she’s down to 99th.
She switched her putter and her stance last week.
“I’m usually a player that practices my driver shots, but last week I worked on my chipping and my short game a lot,” said Park. “Today (Sunday) felt a lot like the U.S. Women’s Open. I worked a lot with my mom. She helped me by going to the course and she knows my game pretty well.”
Park had just 24 putts in her first round and 28 in her final round. It helps that she had two difference-making chip-ins from off the green.
The Volunteers of America LPGA Texas Classic was shortened to 36 holes due to storms on Thursday and Friday that caused long delays. The weekend weather was marvelous and large crowds turned out to watch at the first year venue.