Park In-bee makes big jump in world rankings after runner-up finish at LPGA major

SEOUL, April 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korean LPGA star Park In-bee made a big jump in the women's world rankings Tuesday, powered by her runner-up finish at a major championship. Park climbed six spots to reach No. 3 in the latest rankings, behind only Feng Shanshan and Lexi Thompson. Park, a former world No. 1, is now the highest-ranked South Korean. There are four other South Koreans inside the top 10: Park Sung-hyun (No. 4), Ryu So-yeon (No. 5), Kim In-kyung (No. 7) and Choi Hye-jin (No. 10). Park lost to Pernilla Lindberg on the eighth playoff hole at the ANA Inspiration in Rancho Mirage, California, on Monday (local time). Park began the final round at 10-under, four strokes behind Lindberg, but forced a three-way playoff with Lindberg and Jennifer Song with a 67, which included two straight birdies to close out the round. Song was eliminated on the third playoff hole, and Park and Lindberg remained deadlocked after four playoff holes. Play was suspended due to darkness after those four holes, and the two returned to action early Monday. They played four more holes, and Lindberg clinched her first professional win with a birdie at the eighth playoff hole, the par-four 10th. jeeho@yna.co.kr (END)