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Park departs, but with good memories

Australian Unho Park found new fans on his side as his major debut at the British Open ended on Friday.

The Singapore-based Park, who has an eccentric liking for colourful clothes, improved by eight shots with a second round two-over-par 74 at Royal Liverpool and found joy in the end with two birdies over his closing three holes.

"It was a nice finish - birdie, par, birdie. It was a good experience. I thought I played a lot better than I did, especially on the first day (when he shot 82). I guess playing in a major for the first time does something to you mentally. I can put that down to experience."

Wearing a bright and luminous yellow shirt, Park was a fan favourite. After his round, he threw his remaining golf balls, visor and glove to young kids who were screaming out for souvenirs.

"There were a couple of guys who wanted my shirt," smiled Park, who wore purple on Thursday.

"Hopefully, I will get a chance to play in this again. I'll be going back happy, pleased with the result especially with a 74 today. The conditions were different from the practice rounds where I had four rounds going. But I can't blame anything, just blame the golf swing. The hard part of playing links course is you have to hit the fairway. If you're in the rough, it's not too bad but if you're in the bunker, you can only wedge it out."

Park added that his friend and caddie Craig Maclean was more nervous that he was on the first tee during the opening day. "Craig loved it. When I hit my tee shot yesterday, he had goose bumps. He was more nervous than me on the first tee.

"I'll leave with the experience of having played in a major. The chance to play in this was fun. It was nice having so many people out here and all the strangers cheering for you is a good feeling."

July 21, 2006