Se Ri Pak made it official at a news conference Thursday in Phoenix: 2016 will be her final season on the LPGA.
If ever a player deserves a farewell tour, it’s Pak. The 38-year-old pioneer not only inspired a golf-obsessed South Korea, but the nation’s extraordinary success on the LPGA sparked countries throughout Asia to develop world-class female golfers. Indeed, Pak’s legendary status helped attribute to the overall financial success of the LPGA, particularly in a down U.S. economy when Asian markets propped up a slim domestic schedule.
Pak’s success literally changed the face golf.
“She’s our founder,” said Na Yeon Choi, who won the 2012 U.