South Korean Park announces LPGA retirement
South Korean Grace Park, whose six career LPGA titles included a major win at the 2004 Kraft Nabisco Championship, said she was retiring Friday after her second round of the LPGA Championship. Park, 33, has struggled with back, hip and neck injuries. She underwent two operations and missed nearly three years on the LPGA Tour as a result. "I'm ready for a new phase in my life," Park said. "It's my own fault for not taking care of my body." Park, who has won more than $5 million in her career, captured her last title at the 2004 Nine Bridges Classic. Her first triumph came in her rookie season in 2000 at the Kathy Ireland Classic. Park fired back-to-back rounds of three over-par 75 at the year's second major championship on Thursday and Friday to stand on six-over 150. She closed Friday with back-to-back double bogeys. In seven events this season, Park had won only $6,708. Her only top-10 showing since 2005 was a share of 10th at the 2010 Kraft Nabisco. But in many ways, her triumph was simply making it back from her injuries time and again. "It was hard, very hard," Park said. "But I made it. I'm proud in that sense, that I've recovered from my injuries and was able to get back out here healthy. I thought I was ready to play."
