Skip to main content

South Korean sensation Inbee Park sets sights on 'grand slam'

July 1, 2013 -- Updated 2243 GMT (0643 HKT)
South Korea's Inbee Park is in line to become the first golfer to win four professional majors in one year.
South Korea's Inbee Park is in line to become the first golfer to win four professional majors in one year.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Inbee Park believes fourth major would constitute a 'grand slam'
  • South Korean has won U.S. Women's Open, Kraft Nabisco and Wegmans LPGA this year
  • Next available title is August's British Open at St Andrews

(CNN) -- South Korea's Inbee Park says she will consider it a grand slam if she wins next month's British Open.

A day after becoming the first player since Ben Hogan in 1953 to win the first three majors of the season, Park is not concerned by the presence of five women's majors this year.

"Yes, of course, I think so," Sunday's U.S. Women's Open winner told CNN World Sport when asked if success at the British Open would constitute a grand slam.

"Even though there are five majors, I think winning four is very, very good."

Read: Inbee Park makes history at Southampton

Recreating golf's most iconic photograph
Tour stars on God and golf
A golf coaching dynasty
Golf's billion dollar pioneer

This is the first year in which there will be five majors on the schedule, after the Evian Championship in France was elevated in status.

By winning at the Sebonack course in Southampton by four strokes, the World No. 1 put herself in contention to become the first golfer -- male or female -- to win four major championships in a season.

Having won the Kraft Nabisco Championship in April and the Wegmans LPGA Championship earlier this month, she has already matched the record of the legendary Babe Zaharias, who won three majors in 1950.

When Zaharias achieved her milestone only three majors were on the schedule, while Mickey Wright (1961) and Pat Bradley (1986) are the only other players in LPGA history to win three majors in a season -- but the latter two women failed to achieve consecutive wins.

Park, 24, says she was well aware of the history coming her way as she drove off on Sunday.

"I felt the pressure because I was going for three in a row and everything that was going on was very crazy -- but once I got on the course, I was very calm," she said.

"It's crazy what I've just done. I never would have thought I would have done that ever.

"I am achieving things I never thought I would get, but I am getting there one step at a time. I don't know how far I will go."

Winning a fifth major in the season, with the Evian Championship taking place in September, would represent a milestone in the history of golf.

Although an arguably slim prospect, Park's record in her last 24 starts -- with eight victories coming on top of five runner-up finishes -- suggests she is likely to be in contention at both events.

The Seoul-born golfer won her first major in 2008 at the U.S. Women's Open but had to wait until earlier this year to add that success.

South Koreans have won seven of the last nine major LPGA titles and Park is hopeful she can continue that remarkable run at St Andrews in August.

"I played very well at the British Open in the last couple of years so I am really looking forward to going there," added a woman who turned professional in 2006.

ADVERTISEMENT
Part of complete coverage on
September 21, 2013 -- Updated 1500 GMT (2300 HKT)
The PGA Tour can make instant millionaires at virtually every one of its tournaments -- but it was not always that way, just ask Billy Casper.
September 12, 2013 -- Updated 1204 GMT (2004 HKT)
Ryder Cup logos are pictured at Celtic Manor golf course in Newport, Wales on September 27, 2010. The 2010 Ryder Cup golf matches between Europe and the United States will take place from October 1-3.
If it were a heavyweight boxing contest it'd be ruled a mismatch -- the journeyman's champion up against one of golf's greatest legends.
September 6, 2013 -- Updated 1049 GMT (1849 HKT)
U.S. debt may appear to be spiraling out of control, but one sporting industry is making a major contribution to the country's economic health.
September 12, 2013 -- Updated 1803 GMT (0203 HKT)
Andriy Shevchenko was one of the finest football players of his generation. He retired last year but is now trying the professional golf circuit.
August 28, 2013 -- Updated 1038 GMT (1838 HKT)
Yani Tseng joined the LPGA Tour in 2008 and is a five-time major winner.
After becoming the youngest golfer to win five major championships, Yani Tseng has slipped down the rankings. Can she come back?
Tiger Woods' wait for a 15th major title will stretch into a sixth year, and CNN's Patrick Snell says the world No. 1 may have lost his self-belief.
August 12, 2013 -- Updated 1202 GMT (2002 HKT)
Jason Dufner with the Wanamaker Trophy after winning the U.S. PGA Championship at Oak Hill.
He inspired the cult of "Dufnering" but after winning his maiden major, Jason Dufner has forced the world to take his golf seriously.
August 12, 2013 -- Updated 1311 GMT (2111 HKT)
After a nightmare final round at the PGA Championship, former world No. 1 Lee Westwood received a torrent of abuse on Twitter.
August 8, 2013 -- Updated 1429 GMT (2229 HKT)
CNN's Alex Thomas speaks with U.S. Open Champion Justin Rose, the first Englishman to claim the title since 1970.
August 8, 2013 -- Updated 1213 GMT (2013 HKT)
Living Golf goes behind the scenes at the biggest tournament in women's golf.
August 8, 2013 -- Updated 1218 GMT (2018 HKT)
Amanda Davies gets a crash course in golf from actor Samuel L. Jackson, who always makes time for his favorite sport.
June 27, 2013 -- Updated 1313 GMT (2113 HKT)
So Yeon Ryu was seven years old when she gave her first violin recital. At the age of 12 she had to make a tough decision.
June 21, 2013 -- Updated 2026 GMT (0426 HKT)
As Justin Rose emerged onto the 18th fairway, he knew it was his moment to seize the U.S. Open crown.
June 14, 2013 -- Updated 1528 GMT (2328 HKT)
President Obama and Tiger Woods enjoyed a round of golf in Palm Beach, Florida on Sunday
Two of the most recognizable faces on the planet were casually shooting the breeze as they swept down the fairway in Florida.
June 13, 2013 -- Updated 1517 GMT (2317 HKT)
As well as the bad weather that has already disrupted play, the world's top golfers will face a rare challenge at this week's U.S. Open at Merion.
June 3, 2013 -- Updated 1053 GMT (1853 HKT)
Forget hitting the greens -- it's the fairway to heaven which is on the minds of some of the world's top golfers.
ADVERTISEMENT