INBEE Park of South Korea upstaged compatriot Choi Na Yeon at the final hurdle to claim the Third Edition of the Sime Darby LPGA at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club yesterday.
Park was in stunning form, as she played a final round of four-under 67 for a 15-under 269 to win the title by a clear two strokes.
Choi, who led for three days, played an even-par game in the final to finish 13-under 271 and pocketed US$179,747.
Karrie Webb of Australia was one stroke behind for third placing on a final round of three-under 68 for a 12-under 272. Her four days earnings were US$130,394.
Scotland's Catriona Matthew was alone on fourth with a four-under 67 for an 11-under 273 and her earnings were US$100,870.
Park's birdie binge caught up with the Na Yeon, who led for three days, at the 11th hole and then overtook her at the 13th and her two bogies at the 17th and 18th did not come into play as the defending champion's game fizzled out at the tail-end.
And for her come-from-behind win, she earned US$285,000.
"It a fantastic week, as this is only my third career victory and even though I ended with an embarrassing bogey-bogey, it does not matter now," said the portly Korean.
She loved the food in Malaysia, and also the hospitality, but not the weather -- not until yesterday.
"I really like to eat, and the food here (Asian food) is really good and so I enjoyed my stay very much. The people are also very friendly, but I didn't like the heat in my earlier rounds.
"But now that I won here, I am even starting to like this hot country!," said Inbee.
The 5’6” Korean started playing golf at the age of 10 and her hobbies include skiing and playing the piano, She qualified for the Tour by finishing third on the 2006 Futures Tour season-ending money list.
Even though she has only won three times, her career top-10 finishes were an impressive 34.
World No 1 Yani Tseng of Taiwan ended joint-49th with a par final round which took her total to five-over 289 and she took home US$7,061.
