Pak Eyes British Open
By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
Five-time LPGA major winner Pak Se-ri will miss this week's Evian Masters to focus on the British Open.
The South Korean who qualified for the LPGA's Hall of Fame last month said Wednesday that she would withdraw from the 19th tour of the year to prepare for the British Open to be held in St. Andrews, Scotland next week.
The purse of the Evian Masters is $3 million, the second highest among LPGA Tours behind the U.S. Women's Open, which awards $3.1 million _ The winner's share is $450,000, the third best behind $560,000 of the U.S. Open and $500,000 of the Women's Match Play.
Although the 29-year-old has not won at St. Andrews before, Pak finished in the top-10 four times and matched the course record of 64 strokes, she was one of the event's strongest contenders.
Since its establishment in 2000, the Korean golfer, who has won 24 LPGA Tours since her debut in 1998, has competed at every event except in 2005 due to medical leave.
``I have not won a major this year so I want to claim the title in the finale. For the British Open, I won't participate in the Evian Masters,'' said Pak.
After disqualifying for the third round of the Match Play, she returned home to Orlando, Fla. to rest and will fly to Scotland Friday.
Pak tied for 10th in the first major, the Nabisco Championship, although she took the lead in the final round.
At the LPGA Championship last month, where she qualified for the Hall of Fame, she tied for 33rd and at the U.S. Women's Open, the third of the year, she came in fourth despite a shaky start.
Pak topped the British Open in 2001 and ranked second in 2003.