U.S. Women's Open -- Day Four Wrap-Up

This tournament was pretty much over as soon as Inbee Park shot a 67 on Thursday morning.  But that should not take away from her amazing accomplishment.  She has now won the first three majors of the year -- something that hasn't been done in the women's game since 1950 (when there were only three majors).  The last man to go three-for-three in majors was Ben Hogan, who won the Masters, the U.S. Open, and the British Open in 1953 -- but back then, the British Open was not nearly so prestigious as it later became.

Inbee Park's accomplishment is even more impressive if you watched her play.  It really looked like the old days with Tiger, where he was just playing a much easier course than everyone else.  On the whole, this was one of the best golfing performances I've seen, and I hope Inbee Park finally gets the attention she deserves.

We have sympathy with I.K. Kim, who played great -- and finished well ahead of the rest of the field -- but who was steamrolled by Park.  I.K. Kim should go talk to Ernie Els, who knows exactly how she feels.

Congrats to So Yeon Ryu, who won a thrilling U.S. Women's Open in 2011, and who played very well again this time.

Congrats to Paula Creamer, the 2010 Champion, and Angela Stanford, who tied for Low American.  Congrats to Casie Cathrea, a Californian who was Low Amateur.

Sympathy to Stacy Lewis, who was briefly ranked number 1 in the world earlier this year, and who finished in a tie for 42d after closing with a dreadful 78.  Lewis is a Texan who played her college golf at the University of Arkansas.  From Bobby Jones to Bubba Watson, Southern golfers tend to be high-strung, with games that can vary wildly from one tournament to the next.  We trust that Stacy Lewis will work through whatever bedeviled her this week, and will soon return to better form.

Finally, congrats to Tom Doak and Jack Nicklaus, who seem to have built a really neat course at the Sebonack Golf Club.  I would like to see another tournament there.

1.  I. Park (KOR):  -8 (67+68+71+74=280)

2.  I.K. Kim (KOR):  -4 (68+69+73+74=284)

3.  S.Y. Ryu (KOR):  -1 (73+69+73+72=287)

T4.  P. Creamer:  +1 (72+73+72+72=289)
T4.  A. Stanford:  +1 (73+68+74+74=289)

T7.  B. Lang:  +2 (76+69+73+72=290)
T7.  J. Korda:  +2 (70+71+76+73=290)

T9.  S. Feng (CHN):  +3 (71+75+75+70=291)
T9.  B. Lincicome: +3 (72+72+74+73=291)