Park In-bee qualifies for LPGA Hall of Fame
Lydia Ko claims player of the year
By Kwon Ji-youn
Park In-bee
Lydia Ko
Park In-bee won this season’s lowest scoring average title Sunday to book a ticket into the LPGA Hall of Fame.
World No. 2 Park carded a final round of three-under 69 and a total 12-under 276 to finish alone in sixth at the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship over the weekend.
World No. 1 Lydia Ko was Player of the Year and winner of the season-long points chase.
Park took home the Vare Trophy awarded to the player with the lowest stroke average, which earned her the 27th point she needed to make the Hall of Fame.
To be eligible for induction into the Hall of Fame, players must have been an active LPGA Tour member for 10 years; have won an LPGA major championship, the Vare Trophy or Player of the Year honors; and have accumulated 27 winner’s points.
“I said the Hall of Fame will be my last goal, but it really came early and I have achieved pretty much everything I set so far in my career,” said Park, who completed her career grand slam in August. “There are plenty of other goals to set.”
Park will be inducted in July 2017 after completing 10 years on the tour in 2016, becoming the second Korean golfer after Pak Se-ri. She will also be the youngest.
Pak accumulated the required 27 points in 2004, and in June 2007, after completing 10 years on the tour, was inducted.
Pak was concurrently inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame, but eligibility rules were modified in 2014 to require 15 wins on approved tours or two major wins.
Players must also have turned 40 years old prior to Jan. 1 of the year the ballots are counted or be five years removed from active competition. Park has met all requirements except age and retirement.
New Zealander Ko, who hit a total 11-under 277 to finish behind Park at the championship, was named Player of the Year and winner of the Race to the CME Globe, a points chase that comes with a $1 million (about 1.16 billion won) payout.
“I’m happy that the season is over and I get to relax.” 18-year-old Ko said after the round. “It has been a long season. Up and down, mostly ups.”
Park was second in the Globe points chase and earned a $150,000 (174 million won) bonus, and American Lexi Thompson was third for $100,000 (116 million won).
Cristie Kerr was the winner of the CME Group Tour Championship, a shot ahead of Korean rookie Jang Ha-na, who led the tournament in the third round, and American Gerina Piller. Jang ends the season with eight top-10 finishes.
Kim Sei-young, who finished 24th, won Rookie of the Year earlier this month.