Park aims for third straight major in US Women's Open Championship

Inbee Park of South Korea hits a shot during a practice round prior to the start of the 2013 U.S. Women’s Open at Sebonack Golf Club on June 26, 2013 in Southampton, New York. (Getty Images)

South Korean star Park In-Bee will bid to clinch her third consecutive major of an incredible year this week when she tees off in the US Women’s Open Championship.

World No. 1 Park is seeking to become just the second golfer in LPGA history to capture the first three major championships of the season after taking the Kraft Nabisco Championship and the LPGA Championship earlier.

“This is the best I’m playing in my career,” said Park, the 2008 US Women’s Open champion. “I’m trying to keep this going.

“I’ve played very good golf the last two or three months. Everything’s going the way I really want it to. I’m hitting the ball and striking it great and putting it very well.”

The South Korean star has five victories this season including the last two events by playoffs.

Babe Zaharias won all three majors in 1950, comprising the Titleholders Championship, Women’s Western Open and the US Women’s Open.

Park will tee off Thursday during the 68th Women’s Open at the Sebonack Golf Club course in a group that also includes Belen Mozo and Carly Booth.

Park, 24, said she likes the added pressure of trying to win a major and that her recent success comes from a better overall game.

“I’ve been giving myself a lot of opportunities for birdie, whereas before I was almost putting for pars all the time,” Park said. “But now I have a lot of opportunities at birdies. My long game I think has improved a lot more.”

Park will have her work cut out for her this week as the field also includes world No. 2 Stacy Lewis and number five Ryu So-Yeon.

American Lewis said Park’s dominance on the LPGA Tour is wearing on the rest of the players.

“It is frustrating for the rest of us, that’s for sure,” Lewis said. “I know people like to see somebody make history and do all of that. But for the players it is frustrating to see someone sit there and win week after week, after week.

“She’s making good putts and she is steady.”

Last year, defending champion Choi Na-Yeon, also of South Korea, shot a one-over 73 on the final day and secured her first major title.

She finished at seven-under-par 281, four strokes in front of South Korean Amy Yang.

Choi said defending her title would give her a huge confidence boost.

“I just felt the last couple of weeks I got a lot of pressure on myself, especially my posture wasn’t great when I was walking,” Choi said.

“So I just tried to be more of a champion all week. I just do my best for defending my title, but also I want to do it by walking with more confidence and having fun out there.”

Other big names hoping for strong performances this week include, Suzann Pettersen, Paula Creamer, Kim I.K. and amateur Lydia Ko.

There are 10 former US Women’s Open champions in the field and 22 countries represented.