Golf: Defending HSBC Women's Champions winner Park Inbee targets back-to-back titles

South Korean Park Inbee kissing the trophy after winning the 2015 HSBC Women's Champions event at the Sentosa Golf Club. PHOTO: BERITA HARIAN

SINGAPORE - South Korean Park Inbee is bidding to become the first back-to-back winner of the HSBC Women's Champions with a victory at the Sentosa Golf Club this week.

The world No. 2 was flawless at last year's edition, collecting 15 birdies without a single bogey at the Serapong Course, as she beat her rival and top ranked Lydia Ko to win by two shots at 15-under 273.

Park, 27, went on to win another four titles, including two Majors, to close 2015 in dominant fashion.

She said on Tuesday ahead of this week's US$1.5 million (S$2.11 million) tournament: "I've never done that before, going 72 holes without making a bogey. This is a tough course but hopefully I can do it again this week and maybe make 16 birdies as well."

The ninth edition of the Republic's marque women's golf event will feature an elite 63-women field that includes Ko, Park, as well as American stars Lexi Thompson (world No. 3), Stacy Lewis (No. 4) and Michelle Wie (No. 47).

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