Park on the Cusp of Superstardom

South Korea’s Inbee Park is once again on a record-breaking mission.  After successfully winning her third major at Sebonak last month, the 24-year-old will now be looking to earn her fourth consecutive Tour win at this weekend’s Manulife Financial LPGA Classic in Ontario, Canada.
 
Straight victories are no easy task.  If Park can achieve a fourth she will be the first to do so since Lorena Ochoa in 2008.  But surely the South Korean is looking ahead to where the record lies- five consecutive wins by Nancy Lopez in 1978, matched only by Annika Sorenstam in the 2004-05 seasons.
 
“At the time when I was watching them (Ochoa and Sorenstam), I thought they were so good, that I would never be in that kind of position, never be able to win like four, five tournaments in a row,” said Park.  “I thought that was toughest thing to do and I'm getting really close to that.”
 
Soft conditions during the first round yesterday aided the player’s cause, as Park finished second in the leaderboard with a nice-looking 65.  Matching her best first round score since last year’s Sunrise LPGA Taiwan Championship.
 
Going in to the second round, Park is just two strokes behind joint leaders Angela Stanford and Catriona Matthew.  If she is able to conquer the Grey Silo Golf Course on Sunday, she will be well on her way to reaching Ochoa or Sorenstam status.  But modesty and composure keep the 24-year-old firmly grounded in the present.
 
“I'm not as good as them yet, but I'm still learning now and just starting.”