Inbee Park's US Women's Open "For Grandfather"... Arim Kim Aims for Title Defense

Third Victory Attempt Following 2008 and 2013, Korean Team Including Ko Jin-young, Kim Se-young, and Lee Jeong-eun 6 All Out

Park In-bee aims for her third victory at the US Women's Open, known as the "National Title of the United States," following her wins in 2008 and 2013.

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] "For my grandfather."

This is the determination of ‘Golf Queen’ Park In-bee (33·KB Financial Group). On the 4th (Korean time), the US Women's Open (total prize money $5.5 million), known as the ‘national title of America,’ kicks off at The Olympic Golf Course in San Francisco, California (par 71, 6,546 yards). Since Park Se-ri’s (44, retired) first victory in 1998, a total of 11 wins have been recorded, earning it the nickname ‘Korean Women's Open.’ In the past 10 years alone, Korean players have won 7 times. This year, 20 Korean players are competing.

Park In-bee experienced sorrow last week. Her grandfather, the late Park Byung-jun, who took her to the golf course when she was ten, passed away. Even at the age of 84, he personally came to the airport when his granddaughter returned home with a gold medal from the 2016 Rio Olympics. Park In-bee, who said, "My grandfather is the one who made me play golf," recalled, "He really loved seeing his granddaughter play golf," and added, "I believe he is watching over me from heaven."

Park In-bee is a ‘living legend’ with a total of 21 wins, including 7 major championships. She achieved the ‘Career Grand Slam’ by winning the 2015 British Women's Open, collecting all four different major titles, and added the Rio Olympic gold medal to become the first in global golf history to achieve the ‘Career Golden Slam.’ The US Women's Open is especially significant as it was the tournament where she earned her first career victory in 2008. This win served as a stepping stone for her to grow into a world-leading female golfer.

She started the season early aiming for a consecutive gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics this year. She won the Kia Classic in March. Despite playing in only 6 out of 11 tournaments, she ranks first in average score (68.50), second in world rankings, fourth in prize money ($582,482), and fourth in Player of the Year points (59 points). Last week, she reached the round of 16 at the Bank of Hope Match Play. She dreams of reclaiming the US Women's Open title for the first time in 8 years since 2013. She said, "I want to play well to make my grandfather proud."

Rookie Kim Arim challenges to defend her title at the US Women's Open.

Kim Ah-rim (26·SBI Savings Bank) is also attracting attention regarding whether she can defend her title. Last December, as a non-member, she staged a one-stroke comeback victory. She made headlines by becoming the fifth player to win on her first appearance, following Patty Berg in 1946, Kathy Cornelius in 1956 (both from the USA), Kim Joo-yeon (40, retired) in 2005, and Jeon In-ji (27·KB Financial Group) in 2015. This year, she has entered the US circuit but has been somewhat sluggish, having missed the cut three times.

‘Number 1’ Ko Jin-young (26) is making a comeback attempt for her first win. She is determined to "wipe away the regret of finishing tied for second last year." Along with ‘Number 3’ Kim Se-young (28·Mediheal), 2019 champion Lee Jeong-eun6 (25·Daebang Construction), 2017 champion Park Sung-hyun (28), 2011 champion Yoo So-yeon (31·Mediheal), and 2009 champion Ji Eun-hee (35·Hanwha Q Cells) are also participating. First major ANA champion Patty Tavatanakit and 2018 champion Ariya Jutanugarn (both from Thailand) are among the contenders for the title.