Inbee Park, the No. 1-ranked player in the world, is looking to win her eighth major championship this week at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, but she’ll have to overcome an off-the-course distraction that has cost her time and energy in the run-up to the event.
“My house was broken into last week,” Park said of her Las Vegas home in her pre-tournament news conference. “I’ve been really stressing about that the last four days, talking to police, talking to insurance and trying to figure out — it’s so hard when you’re not there, trying to figure out what’s lost. I mean, this is the life we get on the road.”
Luckily for Park, some of her most prized possessions — major championship trophies and her 2016 Olympic gold medal — are at her home in South Korea, but the stress of uncertainty has taken its toll on her preparation.
Added stress is not something you want heading into a major. @LisaCornwellGC reports on Inbee Park's off-course disturbance in this @TaylorMadeGolf Golf Central Update. pic.twitter.com/vYERkr5hW4
— Golf Central (@GolfCentral) June 27, 2018
Park has had to overcome some other obstacles in recent months as it pertains to her health. She’s battled back from back and thumb injuries, which have sidelined her and kept her more cautious when filling out her schedule.
“I really just feel like I found a better balance of the life and the golf together this year, definitely, because I am enjoying myself more out on the golf course,” she said. “A little bit less stressed and probably more enjoyable than any other years.”
Park will attempt to join Mickey Wright as the only other four-time winner of the Women’s PGA Championship. She won the title in three consecutive years between 2013 and 2015. Park will play alongside Ariya Jutanugarn and defending champion Danielle Kang in the first two rounds.
