Park playing through pain into major, Hall of Fame

South Korea's Park In-Bee has battled a left thumb injury for months
AFP

Chicago (AFP) – Second-ranked Park In-Bee will fight through left thumb pain at this week’s LPGA Volvik Championship to prepare for the next major event and reach the International Golf Hall of Fame.

The South Korean star, who completed a career Grand Slam last year, has battled a left thumb injury for months, one that forced her to withdraw from last week’s Kingsmill Championship.

She plans to play in this week’s inaugural LPGA event at Ann Arbor, Michigan, as her last tune-up for the Women’s PGA Championship in two weeks and then have another medical evaluation.

“My plan right now is to do my best to get through this week and the Women’s PGA in two weeks before I start seeking further medical advice,” Park said.

“Due to the pain still stemming from my left thumb, certain movements in my swing are currently restricted,” she added. 

“Even though my physio has assured that playing will not cause any further damage, I know my body is naturally trying to protect that area when I make certain swing movements.”

The major at Sahalee Country Club would be Park’s 10th event of the season, giving her the 10-season minimum she needs to ensure her qualification for the Hall of Fame.

Park has two top-10 finishes this season, with a best showing as runner-up at the Kia Classic.

Also playing this week is Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn, who comes off back-to-back triumphs at the Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic and Kingsmill Championship.

“I expect more wins,” Ariya said. “But I don’t know about (this week).”

No LPGA winner this season has been older than 23.

This event is among eight new US tournaments added to the LPGA lineup over the past five years.

There are 30 players in this week’s field who are in position to play at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics when women’s golf returns to the competition in August, including New Zealand’s world number one Lydia Ko, Park, Ariya and South Africans Paula Reto and Lee-Anne Pace.

Reto, 26, had dreamed of being at the Olympics in field hockey while among the top South African under-18 players, but her family moved from Cape Town to Florida in 2005 and she took up golf at age 15.

“It was a good fit. I knew it could lead to college and beyond,” Reto said.

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