On the road again, Park is far from idle

The South Korean has played in 11 straight LPGA tournaments.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
VIENNA -- It's been almost 12 weeks since Gloria Park has been home to Seoul, South Korea, but this week could be one that is very advantageous to the 24-year-old LPGA player.
Park has played in 11 straight LPGA tournaments and still has four more to go before returning to South Korea.
Friday, even though she was battling an upset stomach, she posted a 6-under-par 66 to take the first round lead in the Giant Eagle LPGA Classic at Squaw Creek Country Club.
Park, who is 22nd on the LPGA money list with nearly $300,000 in earnings, is in her fifth season on tour.
She made 10 birdies, but offset that with two bogeys and a double-bogey.
"I made 10 birdies once before, last year in Korea, but I finished 10 under that day," Park said.
"I was pretty mad with myself after I made the double-bogey," Park said. "But I was able to settle myself down and just tried to forget about it."
She made the double-bogey on the par-3 12th hole, 163 yards.
"I hit my tee shot long over the green and then my chip came back and rolled all the way back down and off the green," Park said. "I was really upset at the time."
But she came right back and birdied five of her last six holes to take early command of the tournament.
Four top-10 scores
Park has four top-10 finishes this season with a best at the LPGA Takefuji Classic where she finished third.
She was tied for fourth at the McDonald's LPGA Championship, sixth at the Franklin American Mortgage Championship and last week finished ninth at the Canadian Women's Open.
She has made 10 straight cuts this year, but that streak began after she had missed three of her first five.
"I struggled early this season, but I wasn't feeling well during that time either," Park said.
She had food poisoning in Atlanta and spent time in the emergency room, but kept on playing. She also hurt her wrist in last week's Canadian Women's Open.
"I putted very well here today. The greens were a little bumpy, but with the help of my caddie we did pretty well out there," Park said. "I also hit the ball very well, especially with my driver and long irons."
Strong finish
Park made birdies on the final three holes, twice hitting 4-irons to within eight feet to make birdies on the final two holes.
"I like this golf course and it sets up well for my game," Park said. "I like being in the lead, but I really would rather be one or two shots off. I like leading, but I really don't want to think about it."
What about her upset stomach?
"I feel better now than this morning, especially since I checked the scores," Park said.
mollica@vindy.com