100 of the Most Influential Women in Sport >> Athletes

Inbee Park, South Korea

Golf

Her injury problems have not quite been on the scale of Tiger Woods, but the LPGA’s former all-conquering heroine has suffered more than her unfair share. Before battling back to make the Rio Olympics in 2016, chronic back issues and a painful left thumb had plagued her game for more than a year. The South Korean had even questioned whether she’d return to the sport if she decided to take time out to start a family. For a player who had completed the career Grand Slam of majors shortly after turning 27, the prospect should have been unthinkable. Three years later Inbee’s not only still around, she is an Olympic gold medallist, with the achievement giving her a timely shot in the arm. Having since dialled back the number of events she participates in each year – 14 in 2017, 13 in 2018 – Park has reclaimed control over her career. The 30-year-old returned to world No1 status last year for a brief spell and was so close to clinching her eighth major but for a sudden death play-off defeat – on the eighth hole – to Pernilla Lindberg at the ANA Inspiration. As long as both mind and body hold up, doubtless another major will follow.

– Wrote to the LPGA for permission to qualify for events as a 17-year-old (players are required to be 18) but was denied

– Went on to become the youngest-ever major winner, at 19, after finishing four strokes ahead of the rest of the pack at the US Open.

– Her 19 LPGA wins to date have netted her prize money in the region of $14.5 million

Did you know…

Park only started playing golf at the age of 10 after being inspired by her compatriot Se Ri Pak’s win at the 1998 US Open. She moved to the US to pursue the sport and her studies little more than a year later.

“I feel the happiest when I’m at the golf course. And I feel calm when I’m on the golf course. I think I’m just a much better person when I’m on the golf course.” – Inbee Park

Twitter: @InbeePark