Las Vegas, Nevada (July 1, 2013)–It's fitting that the hottest golfer on the planet in 2013 laid the roots of her game in one of the hottest places on earth, Las Vegas. While record temps are hitting the city that glitters, Inbee Park has been establishing records of her own en route to winning the first three majors on the LPGA Tour in 2013. That is a feat that was never accomplished by Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Nancy Lopez, Ben Hogan, Annika Sorenstam, and many other golfing greats. Park, who played high school golf in the Las Vegas Golf Region, joins Babe Zaharias and Bobby Jones as the only golfers in history to win the first three majors of any season. –By Brian Hurlburt, Follow @LVGolfInsider
Park isn't solely showing dominance in the majors. According to the New York Times, in her last 24 events, "Park has won eight times and finished second five times, broadening the gulf between herself and the others in the L.P.G.A. field." Park won two Nevada State High School titles while playing golf for Las Vegas' Bishop Gorman High School. Park hopes she never wakes up from the real-life fantasy that she is living.
"I just hope this is not a dream," Park told the media following her win at the U.S. Womens Open played at Sebonack Golf Club. "I don't want to wake up tomorrow and play the final round again. It feels great to put my name on this trophy twice. That just means so much. I feel very honored to put my name on this trophy with some people who are up here. It was a tough day out there. The golf course was playing tough. I tried to stay calm, and I think I did. I really stayed calm out there, and I just didn't know what I was doing out there. I mean, if I knew what I was doing, I think I wouldn't be able to stand. It was a very good day and I'm just very glad that I can put my name in history."
For a time while living in Las Vegas, Park worked with Shawn Callahan, an instructor at the Butch Harmon School of Golf in Las Vegas. Callahan has tracked Park's progress ever since those high school days and is very happy for her success. "I think it's awesome!" said Callahan via text following the U.S. Women's Open. "She turned out to be one of those historic players and I'm very proud to have been a part of that." The Harmon School is located at Las Vegas' Rio Secco Golf Club. Click now to visit the official website for the Butch Harmon School of Golf which is open to all golfers.
Many observers believe that the best could be yet to come for Park. The next major for the LPGA Tour will be played at St. Andrews, the home of golf and a place that rewards great putters. Park leads the LPGA Tour in putts per greens in regulation and putting average. She also leads in scoring average at 69.67, about .3 ahead of Stacy Lewis who is second in the rankings.
"I've just done three majors in a row now," said Park. "I think it's too early to think about the next one. I think I really want to enjoy the moment as it is in the moment. The grand slam is very big. I probably won't get this kind of opportunity ever again. I know this year is a good opportunity for me. But one of my goals for my career was the career grand slam, not the grand slam, but I think a career grand slam is good enough for me. I mean, I haven't done that yet. It would mean so much if I could do the grand slam. But it takes so much hard work. I'm just glad that I can give it a try at St. Andrews. That's going to be a great experience. Whether I do it or not, I'm just a very lucky person." Quotes courtesy ASAPSports.com.