| [ SportsLeisure ] in KIDS 글 쓴 이(By): birdeee (별사랑이) 날 짜 (Date): 1998년 7월 8일 수요일 오후 04시 50분 11초 제 목(Title): AP News의 세리 칭찬 박세리에 대해 아주 우호적으로 느껴지는 글입니다. 박세리의 인터뷰 기사를 되도록 있는 그대로 옮겼지만 문법을 조금씩 손봐서 읽기 좋게 인용했더군요. Se Ri Pak: on course for greatness By ARNIE STAPLETON AP Sports Writer KOHLER, Wis. (AP) Se Ri Pak's goals have never been modest. She wants to become the best woman golfer on the planet, get through news conferences without an interpreter - she's been speaking English for less than a year - and win the hearts of millions everywhere. "I want on top list," the shy 20-year-old South Korean said at the U.S. Women's Open, where she became the youngest champion ever. "Then I want to be like Nancy Lopez, like, smiling face, good memory on other people." Those aims are universally understood, and they could be just as readily attainable for golf's newest prodigy. Pak, a rookie on the LPGA tour, doesn't consider herself the best, however, despite winning her second straight major on Monday in a stirring 20-hole playoff against amateur Jenny Chuasiriporn of Duke. "No, not yet," said Pak, who won the McDonald's LPGA Championship in May. "I have many years left. I am just starting. "But," she added with a rare smile, ``I have a good start.'' Does she ever. Pak became the youngest winner in 53 editions of the U.S. Women's Open when she sank an 18-foot birdie putt on the second hole of a sudden-death playoff at rugged Blackwolf Run. Because Chuasiriporn is an amateur and ineligible to win any prize money, Pak had already pocketed the $267,500 first-place check when she and Chuasiriporn, a Thai-American from Maryland, tied at 6-over-par 290 on Sunday. So the playoff wasn't about pay, but pride. And Pak never lost her cool when she fell behind by four strokes after just five holes, eventually tying Chuasiriporn at 2-over through 18 exhilarating holes. Pak, who might be closer than she thinks to becoming the world's best, joined Patty Berg as the only women to win two major championships before their 21st birthdays. She's the first rookie to win two majors since Juli Inkster in 1984 and the first woman to win to win consecutive majors since Meg Mallon in 1991. Before Pak, the youngest Open winner was amateur Catherine LaCoste, who was 22 when she won in 1967. "I'm really surprised because this is my first year," said Pak, who is a year younger than Tiger Woods was when he won the Master's last year. "The first time I won a major, my sponsor (Samsung) and everyone was surprised," Pak said. "Now, I win a second major, maybe my sponsor gives me more money." When the laughter died down, Pak pointed to the sparkling silver trophy next to her. "I don't want a check," she said. ``I want the trophy.'' On Tuesday, Samsung said it plans to launch a new sportswear brand - SERIPAK. Pak hasn't returned to South Korea since moving to Orlando, Fla., last summer, but she's become a national hero in her homeland, where red and yellow banner newspaper headlines Tuesday proclaimed Se Ri Pak "Our Hope, Our Encouragement." From President Kim Dae-jung on down, South Koreans rejoiced over Pak's triumph. With their once robust economy in shambles, their World Cup soccer team eliminated after one round, South Koreans badly needed a boost - and Pak delivered. Millions of South Koreans stayed up through the night to watch on television as Pak won the biggest tournament in women's golf. "With all the Korean people, I express my joy over your victory," the president said in a congratulatory telegram. He called her "a hero of this era and our hope." Pak is trying to keep some perspective. But she did say her Open victory legitimized her decision to join the LPGA tour after competing in the Korean LPGA in 1996 and '97, where she took first or second in all but one of 14 events. She won the LPGA qualifying tournament last fall and then made her splash in America by winning the LPGA Championship at Rockland, Del., on May 17, becoming the youngest player to win it. She also wants to add fluent English to her fluid game. "Actually, I want to be like Nancy Lopez, because she is every time smiling face, nice to people," Pak said. "She is like really good player, friendly. I like to be like this. "I want to play good, but one way I want to be is like that. Every time, smiling face, nice to people, helping people," Pak said. "They remember me, my face." They sure will. |