Korea's Se Ri Pak wipes a tear from her eye after winning the U.S. Women's Open Monday, July 6, 1998, in Kohler, Wis.AP Photo/Morry Gash

Se Ri Pak: on course for greatness

Web posted July 8, 1998

Associated Press

KOHLER, Wis. -- When she turned pro at 18, Se Ri Pak wanted to become the best woman golfer on the planet.

She's no doubt the most celebrated at the moment following her U.S. Women's Open victory in a stirring 20-hole playoff against amateur Jenny Chuasiriporn of Duke.

Pak, a rookie on the LPGA tour, doesn't consider herself the best, not even after winning her second straight major on Monday.

``No, not yet,'' said the shy 20-year-old South Korean who won the McDonald's LPGA Championship in May. ``I have many years left. I am just starting.

``But,'' she added with a rare smile, ``I have a good start.''

Does she ever.

Pak became the youngest winner in 53 editions of the U.S. Women's Open when she sank an 18-foot birdie putt on the second hole of a sudden-death playoff at rugged Blackwolf Run.

Because Chuasiriporn is an amateur and ineligible to win any prize money, Pak had already pocketed the $267,500 first-place check when she and Chuasiriporn, a Thai-American from Maryland, tied at 6-over-par 290 on Sunday.

So the playoff wasn't about pay, but pride.

And Pak never lost her cool when she fell behind by four strokes after just five holes, eventually tying Chuasiriporn at 2-over through 18 exhilarating holes.

Pak, who might be closer than she thinks to becoming the world's best, joined Patty Berg as the only women to win two major championships before their 21st birthdays.

Before Pak, the youngest Open winner was amateur Catherine LaCoste, who was 22 when she won in 1967.

``I'm really surprised because this is my first year,'' Pak said. ``The first time I won a major, my sponsor (Samsung) and everyone was surprised. Now, I win a second major, maybe my sponsor gives me more money.''

When the laughter died down, Pak pointed to the sparkling trophy next to her.

``I don't want a check,'' she said. ``I want the trophy.''

On Tuesday, Samsung said it planned to launch a new sportswear brand -- SERIPAK.

Pak hasn't returned to South Korea since moving to Orlando, Fla., last summer, but she's become a national hero in her homeland, where red and yellow banner newspaper headlines Tuesday proclaimed Se Ri Pak ``Our Hope, Our Encouragement.''

From President Kim Dae-jung on down, South Koreans rejoiced over Pak's triumph.

With their once robust economy in shambles, their World Cup soccer team eliminated after one round, South Koreans badly needed a boost -- and Pak delivered.

Millions of South Koreans stayed up through the night to watch on television as Pak won the biggest tournament in women's golf.

``With all the Korean people, I express my joy over your victory,'' the president said in a congratulatory telegram. He called her ``a hero of this era and our hope.''

Pak is trying to keep some perspective. But she did say her Open victory legitimized her decision to join the LPGA tour after competing in the Korean LPGA in 1996 and '97, where she won six events and finished second seven times in just 14 tournaments.

She won the LPGA qualifying tournament last fall and then made her splash in America by winning the LPGA Championship at Rockland, Del., two months ago.

``The first time I won, maybe people think I'm lucky,'' Pak said. ``So, then I win U.S. Open. Now, maybe people think I'm not lucky. That is why I'm really happy.''

Pak said she would keep her commitment to play in the Jamie Farr Kroger Classic, which starts Thursday in Sylvania, Ohio.

``I want to win every tournament, small tournament or big tournament,'' she said with a you'd-better-believe-it stare. ``That is my goal. I don't want to win just two majors. I want to win every tournament.''

And become the best on the planet.