Park claims 12th career crown

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Inbee Park won her 12th career title on Sunday as she secured a two stroke win over Stacy Lewis at the Taiwan Championship.

The world number one held off a strong challenge by her closest rival in the rankings as she carded a final round 71 for a 22-under-par 266 total.

The victory was a perfect finish to Park’s Asian trip which was centered around her marriage last month to swing coach Gi Hyeob-nam.

“I think this will be my wedding gift for myself,” Park said.

“It’s a good feeling and maybe people who said, ‘She’s not going to play as well as when she was not married.’ I think we can put that wrong.”

Park shot 64-62-69 to take a four-stroke lead over Lewis and China’s Shanshan Feng into the final round.

“I think playing with Stacy, I really wanted to play well,” Park said. “Obviously, being able to win the tournament was a great accomplishment. It was a tough day and I got nervous on every hole today, even on the 18th hole.”

The second-ranked Lewis, also a three-time winner this year, shot 69.
“I hung in there all day and just made Inbee work for it,” Lewis said.

“That was the goal. You give Inbee four shots, it’s a tough task to overcome. She hit the shots when she needed to coming in.”

Third-ranked Lydia Ko was third at 17 under after a 66.

The 17-year-old New Zealander’s score was the best on the rainy day and served as a reminder why she won the Swinging Skirts World Ladies Master at Miramar last year.

“I think I played really well here in Asia,” Ko said. “I’ve enjoyed it and I’m excited for a week off next week.”

Spain’s Azahara Munoz had a 69 to finish fourth at 16 under
Feng closed with a 76 to drop into a tie for sixth at 13 under.

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