2003 Weetabix Women's British Open

The week at the Weetabix Women's British Open proved very lucrative for the Korean posse. In fact, 8 Koreans managed to finish in the top 25 (which, with ties, actually consisted of 35 players). What makes that figure even more impressive is that only 12 Korean players started the week, which means 2/3 of the Koreans managed a very good finish. And even more amazingly, one of those who did not do well was last year's #4 player, Mi Hyun Kim, who missed the cut.

The player with the best results was of course Se Ri Pak, who came within a few inches of possibly winning the crown. But just behind her in third place was Grace Park. And perhaps it shouldn't have turned out that way, for once again, Grace got out to a start that put her in trouble. Normally a 74 would not be a cause of much concern in a Major, but the incredible gentle weather was allowing many players to go low on Thursday. In fact, after her first day's work, Grace sat in 70th place, and since only the top 65 and ties made the cut, she was in a bit of danger of missing her second cut at a Major this year. Not to worry, though, for on Friday, Grace returned to her usual game and shot an absolutely explosive round of golf. She started with a birdie on 2, but hit an amazing stride at hole # 5. From there she could do no wrong, and birdied 5 straight holes to go out in 29. And just like that, Grace was 6 under for the day, and had vaulted up to 4 under and the top ten. She added two more birdies at 15 and 17, and thus, just like the previous week at the Evian, sat at 8 under par going into the last hole. And just like at the Evian, she messed up the final hole. Here she hit her drive into the Bunker of Death, and had to settle for a bogey and a 65. But in one day she had leapt from a tie for 70th and possible elimination to a tie for 4th and contention.

Grace had to laugh at some of
the predicaments she encountered
at the British Open
AP Photo/Alistair Grant

Grace and Dave plan their next move
AP Photo/Alistair Grant

On the weekend, Grace continued to play well. She cooled down considerably on Saturday, but still posted an under par 71 in considerably harder conditions. This left her in 6th place, four shots out of the lead, and behind Karrie Webb, Annika Sorenstam and Se Ri. On Sunday, she played with Karrie Webb for an amazing fourth day in a row (how often does that happen?). Right away she had a near disaster, a double bogey on the par 3 first hole. It looked as though it might not be Grace's day, but she rebounded nicely, with birdies on 3 and the par 5 6th. She added two more birdies on the back side, but was not able to sink quite enough putts to get to the top. Nonetheless, her 2 under par 70 was one of the lowest rounds of the day (69 was the day's low score).

Thus, besides Sorenstam, she became the only player to have more than one top three finish at a Major in 2003. At the start of the year, this was one of the chief questions about Grace. Namely, how could a player who finished 6th on the money list never contend at the Majors? Well, she sure did contend in 2003, and every indication is that she will win one in 2004.

Young Kim was another player who impressed, with a consistent week that found her finishing in 9th place at 3 under par. Though she was never in contention, the young rookie has now notched two top ten finishes in the four Majors. To put this in perspective, that's more than Se Ri managed in 2003!

Gloria Park has not had a great year in 2003. But she finally made her first top ten, and it came at a Major (namely, a tenth place at the British). That gave us four Seoul Sisters in the top ten, the best achievement by the Korean players at any Major this year. In fact, though I'm not certain, this might be their best achievement at any Major in history.

Jeong Jang continued her fantastic play in Majors with a 14th place finish. This means she finished in the top 21 in all four Majors this year, with top tens at the US Open and LPGA Championship. That kind of play has also moved her into the top 20 on the money list in August for the first time in her career. In fact, she is currently higher on the money list than her best friend on tour, Mi Hyun Kim.

Hee-Won Han did not get a top ten, but recovered from a terrible start to get her own top 20 (19th place). Hee-Won still has not had a truly great Major in her career, though this year's LPGA Championship, where she led for most of three rounds before falling apart, came awfully close. But her previous best finish in any Major was outside the top 20, and this year she managed top 20s in three of the four Majors, so there is a definite upwards curve to her game.

Young Kim waves to the fans at the
ShopRite tournament after chipping
the ball in
Reuters/Tim Shaffer

Peanut at the Sybase Big Apple Classic
AP Photo/Frank Franklin II

And lastly, we have Soo Yun Kang and Young-A Yang, two of the players tied for 24th. For Soo Yun, she is still trying to get her sea legs on tour. But she is hovering around the top 30 on the money list, and if she can get inside that magical number, she can count on an invite to the Tour Championship in November, which would certainly be a feather in her cap. Young-A Yang is just trying to secure her card for next season, and seems well on her way to doing that.

And what about Mi Hyun Kim? She finished 2nd just two years ago in this event, but this year, missed her first cut since early 2001. She had had the longest active streak of cuts made at 58 up to this week. It's too bad that had to end, but next week she will go to Dublin, Ohio, to defend her title at the Wendy's Championship for Children. Hopefully she will be able to recapture the magic from that event, and that in turn will help her back on her way to greatness.