
Big Play
WHO
Inbee Park
WHAT
15-foot par putt
WHERE
413-yard par-4 9th hole at Interlachen
WHEN
Final round of the U.S. Women's Open
WHY
U.S. Opens always come down to putting, so it's no fluke that Park, the LPGA's second-ranked putter—she was second on the greens last week as well—prevailed. Park's body and head remain perfectly still throughout the stroke, while her arms freely swing back and through. She also has perfect posture: Her upper body tilts forward at the hip joints and her arms hang directly underneath her shoulders.
TODD'S TIP
A Perfect Setup: Easy as One, Two, Three
1. Clap your hands together in front of your chest. 2. Rotate your elbows inward until they're the same width as your body. Then pull the elbows in against the rib cage. 3. Tilt the upper body forward from the hips until your hands hang directly below your shoulders. Your putter should be just long enough to reach the ball, which should be under your eyes. Learn more about putter fitting at www.coutourgolf.com.
Todd Sones teaches at White Deer Run Golf Club in Vernon Hills, Ill.
...AND ANOTHER THING
"Junior golf is in a bad place in the U.S. because the bar is way too high, and kids are so over-worked they're missing out on being kids."
GOLF MAGAZINE TOP 100 TEACHERS POLL
Will Michelle Wie win an LPGA event?
Yes 62%
No 38%
"Yes, but only if she gets away from her parents and continues to play for a long time."
—MIKE BENDER, TIMACUAN GOLF CLUB
PHOTO
MIKE EHRMANN (PARK)
PHOTO
CARLOS M. SAAVEDRA (SONES)
1. 2. 3.
PHOTO
ERICK W. RASCO (BACKGROUND)
PHOTO
MICHAEL J. LEBRECHT II/1DEUCE3 PHOTOGRAPHY (WIE)