Less than a week later, Bo Bae found herself halfway around the world, playing in another big event. This time, however, she was coming into the action with a little bit of notoriety. The event was the first World Cup of Women's Golf, held in George, South Africa. The Korean Golf Organization charged with selecting the team to represent Korea decided that it should consist of one golfer who plays domestically and one who plays internationally. The domestic golfer to choose was obvious: Bo Bae, who had clearly been the top player on the KLPGA in 2004. But the top four international Korean players - Se Ri Pak, Grace Park, Mi Hyun Kim and Hee-Won Han - all passed when offered the chance to join her. So it fell to Jeong Jang, ranked 12th on the LPGA in 2004, to make up the second part of the team.

The competition would be in three parts. On the first day, the ladies played foursomes. The better score on a given hole would be counted towards the team's score. On this day, the Koreans were not particularly strong. In fact, they managed to finish in a tie for last in the 20 team field, although they were only +1 and just eight shots behind Italy and Canada, who shot 66s on the day for a -7 total (this was a par 73 course). After the round, BB said, “I hit the ball well but didn’t make a lot of putts. I think it was the same for both of us... I think for the rest of the tournament we need to attack more and go for the pins more."

Bo Bae Song with Jeong Jang after the two of them
were named to represent Korea at the Women's
World Cup

BB swings in round 3

BB and JJ during their successful round
2 at the World Cup. They were
the low scoring team of the day

Boy, did things ever change in round two! This was the hardest of the three rounds, for the teams played alternate shot. In order to get a good score on each hole, both players needed to be on at the same time. The course really struck back at the field, and high scores were plentiful. But one team tamed the course and produced a phenomenal score: Korea! They ended up shooting a five under par 68, thanks largely to a fantastic front nine which even included an eagle. Theirs was one of the few eagles (if not the only one) recorded on this day. They vaulted from being eight shots out of the lead to only two shots back just like that. And they now sat in 4th and would play in the next to last group on the final day.

The final day's format would count the scores of both players on each hole. So the teams with good balance had an advantage. But either the conditions were tough, or some of the teams were not quite ready for them, because even teams with two strong members like the Americans suffered on this day. Double bogeys were common, and the scores sky rocketed. Through it all, the Korean team stayed steady, but one team was doing quite well and seemed to have everything wrapped up. That team was the one from Japan. They were anchored by their own teenage superstar, Ai Miyazato, who was playing out of her head great golf on this day; she would later claim it was her best round ever. By the turn, Japan was at 10 under and seemed ready to run away with the tournament. But Miyazato's partner was having all sorts of problems, and slowly but surely, they fell back to the field. Korea, meanwhile, remained steadily around 3 under par.

Finally, with just a few holes left, Japan fell back into a tie with Korea and the Philippines at one under par. Both Song and Jang hit great tee shots on the par 3 17th, and had a chance for one and maybe even two birdies to take the lead. But alas, neither birdie putt fell. A few minutes later, the two Japanese players also reached this hole, and they, too, hit great tee shots. But both of them made their birdie putts, and that two shot lead would turn out to be the final difference. Korea was not able to produce a birdie on the par 5 18th, and thus finished tied for second with the Philippines. But right up until the end, they had their chances. It was another triumph for the incredible Bo Bae Song.

As a reward for her great February, Bo Bae has been offered an exemption into the first LPGA Major of the year, the Kraft Nabisco Championship. Miyazato will also be there. Will Bo Bae be able to one-up her Japanese phenom rival this time? Stay tuned!

Bo Bae and Jeong Jang hug after finishing second at the
Women's World Cup