Inbee Park of South Korea, who lost her No. 1 ranking earlier in the week, shot a course-record tying 10-under-par 61 to win the Manulife LPGA Classic by three strokes over Cristie Kerr at Grey Silo Golf Course in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
The 25-year-old Park claimed her 10th LPGA Tour victory but the first in 11 months since she won the first three majors of 2013, capped by the U.S. Women’s Open at Sebonack Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y.
“I think that (losing the top ranking) took a little bit of pressure off me, but also it was a bit of motivation and inspiration,” said Park, whose only bogey of the tournament came on the fourth hole in round one.
“I was playing good, but I knew I had to step up and play better golf. I wasn’t thinking about possibly shooting 59, I just wanted to win that trophy. I’m glad my putter is back. Even the ones that didn’t go in looked like they wanted to and wound up close.”
Kerr, who has won 16 times on the circuit but not since the Kingsmill Championship more than a year ago, closed with a bogey-free 63 that was her fourth consecutive score in the 60s.
Third-round leader Shanshan Feng of China, who won the 2012 LPGA Championship, was five shots back in third after a 68, while Belen Mozo of Spain totaled 65 and was seven strokes behind in a tie for fourth with 17-year-old Lydia Ko of New Zealand, who had a 66.
Stacy Lewis played easily her best golf of the week and retained the No. 1 spot in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings with a 63 that left her eight shots back in a tie for sixth with Michelle Wie, who had a 69.
