Soo Do That Voodoo That She Do So Well

While the LPGA was taking the week off, not all the players from that tour were relaxing. The Korean LPGA was still going strong, and the Korean players on the LPGA tour like to go back from time to time to support their home country's tour. This time, the players who did this were Soo Yun Kang and Shi Hyun Ahn, and the tournament was the PAVV Invitational on the KLPGA tour (scheduled for October 1 - 3rd). Two other non-Korean LPGA players, Natalie Gulbis and British Open winner Karen Stupples, were also invited to take part.

Shi Hyun's decision to play in this event came at an interesting time in her season. With the year winding down, Shi Hyun had a strong lead over Aree Song for the Rookie of the Year award. If she were to win it, she would become the 4th Korean since 1998 to take that prize. But by going to play in Korea, she also ended up missing the Longs Drugs Challenge, giving Aree a free chance to make up some ground on her. It was a bit of a risk, but in the end it did not hurt her, as Aree missed the cut at the Longs. With only a few events remaining, Shi Hyun seems to have the award in the bag.

Shi Hyun Ahn returns home shortly before the
PAVV Invitational tournament

Shi Hyun, as usual, attracts photographers
to her practice day

Soo Yun Kang and Shi Hyun Ahn played together
during the first round

She flew into Korea for the tournament a week early, and kept a relatively low profile (usually she appears in a few public events which are duly covered in the media, but it seems this time she did not). As the time of the tournament's start neared, however, the press came out to watch she and Soo Yun practice. Shi Hyun had already won one KLPGA event earlier this year, the X-Canvas (made all the more impressive because she beat Se Ri Pak and Grace Park to do it). Soo Yun, however, had not won an event anywhere in the world since she had joined the LPGA tour. Her last previous win had come in Korea in 2002. Doubtless she was itching to right that little situation.

Round one was a great step in that very direction. Playing with Shi Hyun Ahn, Kang managed an excellent six birdies against three bogies for a three under par 69. This was good enough for a two shot lead over the rest of the field; apparently, this is a pretty challenging course. Shi Hyun was no slouch herself, however: she finished the day tied for second at one under par, after a round that included four bogies and five birdies. Karen Stupples was also tied for second at one under, so it was clear that Kang would not be able to rest on her laurels. Still, it was a very encouraging start to her week, and since the tournament would only be a three rounder, gave her a good chance to contend right until the end.

On Saturday, the weather must have gotten a lot worse, or perhaps the pin placements were nastier. Regardless, the scores suddenly got a lot higher, and with only a few exceptions, the leaders all struggled to make it through. Soo Yun hung in there and produced a 1 over par 73, which dropped her to 2 under for the event. This was still good enough to keep her in the lead, but only a tie for the lead. Shi Hyun had more trouble, shooting a 2 over par 74 to drop to +1. Karen Stupples, meanwhile, shot a 78 (ouch!) which effectively removed her from contention in the event.

So as the final round started, Kang knew she had a chance to walk off with the trophy, but that it would not be easy by any means. Shi Hyun Ahn in particular did her best to challenge. By the end of the day, she had racked up an impressive 4 under par 68, which moved her to a 3 under total. Another Korean LPGA player had played even better, shooting the best round of the week, a 6 under par 66, which also got her to 3 under. Fortunately for Kang, she was very solid throughout the day, and managed to eke out a 2 under 70, just good enough for a 4 under total and the win. Ahn finished tied for second, the two LPGA players representing the American tour quite well.

After Kangsy got her first place check and trophy, she dived into the water near the 18th green in celebration, much like the winner of the Kraft Nabisco tournament on the LPGA dives into the water after winning there. But she wasn't through, and when Ahn came to congratulate her, that naughty Kang dragged her into the water as well. Perhaps Soo Yun's first win in two years will re-energize her and lead to more good things on the LPGA tour as well?

Soo Yun wraps up the win!

Soo Yun dives into the water to celebrate her victory...

... and later drags her good friend Shi Hyun Ahn in with her.
Shi Hyun finished second