It’s Official: Angela Park Is The LPGA’s Top Rookie in 2007

By Lisa D. Mickey

LAKELAND, Fla., Oct. 11, 2007 -- Angela Park made up her mind about something when she rolled in her last putt on the last hole of her final round as a member of the 2006 Duramed FUTURES Tour. Park had just carded a disappointing round of seven-over-par 79 at the Tour’s season-ending event in Albany, N.Y. Her chance to grab one of the five fully exempt 2007 LPGA Tour cards was gone.

“I told myself right after that last putt that I couldn’t change anything, but that I was going to make it [to the LPGA Tour],” said Park, 19, of Torrance, Calif., who finished eighth on the Tour’s 2006 money list.

Park left her disappointment behind in Albany and pointed the family’s Toyota SUV toward Daytona Beach, Fla., where she spent two weeks playing the two courses at LPGA International used for qualifying. The teen was chomping at the bit to redeem herself by the start of LPGA Q-School. That eagerness and healthy dose of determination was converted to reward by the conclusion of the 90-hole marathon.

Not only did Park tie for fifth in the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament last December to earn fully exempt LPGA status for 2007, but she emerged as the LPGA’s top rookie this season. She officially became the 2007 Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year on October 1, on the strength of six top-10 finishes in 23 starts, including top-five finishes at two of the LPGA’s four major championships: a tie for second at the U.S. Women’s Open and a tie for fifth at the McDonald’s LPGA Championship. She entered this week’s elite-field Samsung World Championship ranked ninth on the LPGA’s season money list with earnings of $847,933.

“It’s more than satisfying to finish as the top rookie and it feels like I did my job,” said Park, reached by telephone earlier this week. “It’s like a reward for practicing so hard last year on the [Duramed] FUTURES Tour.”

For most of the 2006 Duramed FUTURES Tour season and as one of the Tour’s three 17-year-old professionals, Park was overshadowed by top-ranked and five-time winner Song-Hee Kim, as well as by the third 17-year-old pro, good friend In-Bee Park (no relation). Both Kim and In-Bee Park finished in the top five on the Tour’s 2006 money list to automatically earn 2007 LPGA Tour status.

But while she fell short of earning one of the five LPGA cards, Angela Park lacked little in her first season as a pro. She carded a sizzling round of 65 in her fourth tournament, scored rounds in the 60s 10 times, including a final-round 66 in the next-to-last tournament on a difficult golf course (in Gettysburg, Pa.), and finished her rookie year with a scoring average of 71.51 – which would have finished second this year on the Duramed FUTURES Tour. Park posted seven top-10 finishes in 16 events in 2006, and missed only one tournament cut. To fall short of an automatic LPGA Tour card after producing those kinds of numbers only fired up the native of Brazil.

“I learned that I am capable of doing anything I want to do,” she said. “Last year on the Duramed FUTURES Tour, I didn’t make it, but I came out here way ready this year. I set a goal for myself to win this award not to compare myself to other players, but to just play the game.

“I knew what I had to do this season and I wanted to grind it out,” added Park. “It all comes down to if you want it that badly. You can be playing great golf, but if you really, really care, you can do well out here. Last year, I learned that I don’t ever want to just be a mediocre player.”

No worries, on that note. Park plays with as much passion as she has skill, even for a teen so young in her professional career. And as she sat in LPGA rookie training sessions last December learning about the Tour’s “Five Points Of Celebrity – which includes performance, approachability, passion and joy for the game, appearance, and relevance to fans – Park thought, “Why are they trying to teach me this? I already do these things in the way I play.”

Other than reaping unprecedented financial rewards, the biggest difference for Park this season has been competing alongside players who are older and more experienced. Even as a teen on the Duramed FUTURES Tour, where the average age is 25, Park was closer in age to her peers and had competed for years against players she has known from amateur golf. This year, however, she was teeing it up alongside accomplished 30- and 40-somethings – some of whom have played golf longer than she has been alive. Park found herself trying to absorb every ounce of knowledge she could from the seasoned pros around her.

“I’ve learned a lot by being around these players this year and it’s been a great experience,” she said. “It’s made me know that I want to be someone who makes a difference every day.”

Winning top rookie honors this year has been about more than collecting a trophy for the mantle or even etching her name alongside those of the best players in the game. For Park, whose mother lives and works in Brazil, and her father, who is based in California to help his daughter have the best possible experiences in competitive golf, it is an award for the entire family. Because of her talents and goals, the family has given up much to help her achieve her dreams.

“This award really symbolizes the hard work and support my family has given me to be here,” she said. “My whole family has sacrificed for me, so it’s not something I won for myself. I won it for my family because we worked together as one. I knew I was going to get it from the start of the season because I felt comfortable and was confident in my game and I tried to stay very positive this year.”

Other than the speech she must present when she receives her top rookie award next month -- for which she admits she is “kind of nervous about that” -- Park says she still has some business to complete this season with five tournaments remaining in the LPGA’s regular schedule.

“I want to win this year and I have five opportunities to do that,” said Park, who is excited to play in Asia for the first time when the LPGA travels to Korea, Thailand and Japan over the next three weeks. “People treat me a little differently, but nothing has really changed. I’m still the same happy person. And I still want to win.”

But can the top rookie capture her first professional title this year?

“Oh yeah,” said Park with a laugh. “It’s just a matter of time. Preferably it will happen this year, but I’ll take it whenever it comes.”

Contact: Lisa D. Mickey, Duramed FUTURES Tour, 863-709-9100, Ext. 2, lisa@duramedfuturestour.com.