Park In-bee to compete in Rio despite injury

Park In-bee waves to spectators during the LPGA KEB Hana Bank Championship at Sky72 Golf & Resort in Incheon, in this October 2015 photo. / Yonhap

By Baek Byung-yeul

Injured Korean golfer Park In-bee, 27, will represent her country at the upcoming Rio Olympics after all, her agency announced Monday.

“Competing in the Olympics has long been a dream and a goal of mine,” the golfer, ranked No. 3 in the world, said through her agency Galaxia SM. “I have monitored my condition while in rehab and am determined to compete at the Rio Olympics as the injury to my left thumb has improved significantly.”

Park has suffered through an injury-blighted season this year. She had to take a month-long break because of a back injury at the beginning of the season and has been fighting inflammation in her thumb. After playing in the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship last month to meet the LPGA Tour’s 10-year membership requirement for the LPGA Hall of Fame, Park has missed other championships since then.

Park’s announcement was made on the final day of the Olympic qualification. Pursuant to the Olympic qualification process, participating players are determined by their world rankings and the top 15 as of July 11, are eligible for the Rio Games, with a limit of four players from each country. The countries that have no one among the top 15 may field two players based on world rankings.

Park already secured a spot for the Rio Olympics as she is third in the world ranking as announced on July 4.

“There is about a month left until the Olympics. I will do my best to treat my condition so that I can play well there,” Park said.

With Park, 2015 LPGA Rookie of the Year Kim Sei-young (world No. 5), last year’s U.S. Women’s Open winner Chun In-gee (No. 6) and Yang Hee-young (No. 8, also known as Amy Yang), who tied for third at this year’s U.S. Women’s Open, will represent Korea in women’s golf.

In men’s Olympic golf, Ahn Byeong-hun (world No. 31) and Wang Jeung-hun (No. 73) will represent Korea.

Kim Kyung-tae, the second highest ranked Korean at No. 42, announced his withdrawal from the Rio Olympics on Monday.