Park In-bee Park with the HSBC Women’s Champions trophy. Picture by Andrew Redington/Getty Images
Singapore: Olympic gold medallist
Park In-bee became the first two-time winner of the HSBC Women’s Champions after staging a final-round putting masterclass.
The seven-time Major champion was simply irresistible as she fired a closing eight-under-par 64 over the New Tanjong Course at Sentosa Golf Club, a Golf Course Facility Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.
Riding a hot putter, Park snared eight birdies in the space of 10 holes to overturn a six-shot overnight deficit and power to the top of the leaderboard.
Making her success all the more remarkable was that it was only her second tournament since returning to competitive golf following a six-month lay-off.
“I’m happy that I got my putter back today! Yesterday I was a little disappointed with my putting. I hit some good putts but they just didn’t drop. But today was a very good day on the greens,” said Park whose 19-under-par total of 269 was one shot in front of Thai
Ariya Jutanugarn.
Park won her first HSBC Women’s Champions in 2015 when the event was staged over the Serapong Course.
“I always love playing in Singapore. We always get a great field. As a player, it’s always great to compete with the greatest players and the strongest field.”
The victory hopes of third round leader
Michelle Wie disappeared at the fifth hole where she four-putted.
She eventually signed for an even-par 72 to leave her tied in fourth place alongside
Brooke Henderson and defending champion
Jang Ha-na. Third place went to 23-year-old LPGA Tour rookie Park Sung-hyun.
Giles Morgan, Global Head of Sponsorship & Events for HSBC, said: “Congratulations to In-bee on her wonderful victory on the New Tanjong Course. What a perfect stage to crown our champion for the second time at this event as she becomes the first player to win it more than once.
“This week we have continued on our journey to make golf anyone’s game and open the game up to new and younger audiences, dazzling Singapore with lasers, glitter balls and K-Pop all thrown into the mix.
“The world class field of players has once again performed, all fantastic ambassadors and role models for golf and sport in general.
“There have been many remarkable moments at the HSBC Women’s Champions over the past 10 years and In-bee’s triumph here is up there with the best. It is very fitting that the Olympic champion has returned to become a double champion of this event. She is truly a champion of women’s golf.”