But from low expectations have come special things for Park this week at the Olympic Golf Course. The 28-year-old started slowly on Day 2, playing her first nine holes in 1 under par, but she rallied late with three birdies over her last four holes for a second-round 66 and a one-stroke lead over America’s Stacy Lewis.
It was Park’s second-consecutive 66 in Rio and sets up an impressive threesome on Friday in the final group of Park, Lewis and England’s Charley Hull.
Not bad for a player who didn’t make the decision to even play the Olympics until about a month ago, and her play on Day 2 is an ominous sign for the rest of the field.
After missing six birdie attempts from 10 feet or closer on Wednesday, Park’s putting improved on Thursday and she took advantage of benign conditions and a golf course that she is starting to feel more comfortable on.
“In the first round, I think everybody was really nervous and they were kind of new to the golf course,” Park said. “Everybody kind of really knows the golf course now and the real game begins.”
