Sung Hyun-Park is back at the top of the golfing scene after copping her sixth LPGA title recently in Singapore. But looking ahead, the 25-year-old professional golfer admits that she has a long way to go despite accomplishing so much at her young age.
Park is currently in Manila, Philippines to participate in The Country Club Invitational Golf Tournament. She is aware of the tough field that awaits and remains cautious. Among the top names in the golfing scene, she will have to deal with include TLPGA stalwarts Babe Liu, Hsin Lee, Tzu-Chi Lin, Ching Huang, and Chia Pei Lee.
Other lady golfers to look out for include former LPGT winners from Thailand like multi-titled Yupaporn Kawinpakorn, Ploychompoo Wilairungrueng, Saruttaya Ngam-usawan, Renuka Suksukont and Wannasiri Sirisampant. Finally, there are of course the local Filipino players in the mix such as Princess Superal, Pauline del Rosario, Cyna Rodriguez, and Chihiro Ikeda.
The tournament will run from Mar. 6 to 8 at the wind-raked TCC layout with a $100,000 cash prize at stake. Park is an overwhelming favorite although she expects to encounter rough sailing against rival golfers, Manila Bulletin Sports Online said.
“I don’t think I will have an easy time this week. I should do my best and just keep playing my own game like I always do – as I do in every tournament,” said Park.
Park was recently named the new brand ambassador for Solaire Resort and Casino. A press conference held on Tuesday had local media together with Korean-based outlets and fans coming out to catch a glimpse of her - now being christened as the female counterpart of Tiger Woods who incidentally is someone she looks up to, the Golf Digest said.
For Park, she still has a hard time believing that she is at the top of the women's golfing scene. She knows that there is still a lot to learn and is fully aware that there are a lot of aspiring golfers looking up to her.
“I still can’t believe that I became top world ranking number one. I think it came so quickly. But I feel I just have to do my best. Better and better for the rest of the season,” she said.
Park admits that her journey was filled with adversity and hardships. In fact, she shared a curious case during the 2017 U.S. Open where her mother threatened to leave due to her subpar play.
"So in the 2017 US Open, after the first round, I didn’t play that well. So my mom started packing my stuff. And after seeing her packing my stuff I couldn’t say anything. I just thought that I have to finish strong,” Park explained.
From the looks of it, that is all Parks needed and the results are obvious. At 25, there is so much left for her to accomplish. But for this year, she aims to win five more titles - majors included.
