Columnist Victoria Sun: Pak getting her game back on track

Victoria Sun

Wednesday, March 29, 2000 | 11:38 a.m.

Victoria Sun is a Las Vegas Sun sports writer. Her golf column appears Wednesday. Reach her at victoria@lasvegassun.com or 259-4078.

Akiko Fukushima has more in common with Se Ri Pak than the fact that they both play on the LPGA Tour.

Both players have a tendency to start slow and don't get hot until a third of the season is over.

Fukushima, Pak and Ayako Okamoto participated in Okamoto's NEC Super Golf on Tuesday afternoon at The Legacy in Henderson. The three players participated in the made-for-TV event in a skins game format with each hole worth $1,000.

Pak won 10 holes with four birdies and one eagle.

Neither Pak nor Fukushima, the 1999 Rolex Rookie of the Year runner-up, could explain why they struggle early in the year in tour events.

"I don't know, actually," Pak said. "Probably, maybe sometimes you just get the right timing.

"All the time I do like this (start sluggish). I don't know, it's nothing. I don't really have any problems."

So far, Pak has been disqualified from the Office Depot, tied for 27th at the Los Angeles Women's Championship presented by Yamaha, tied for fifth at the Welch's/Circle K Championship, tied for 59th at the Standard Register Ping and most recently, tied for 15th at the Nabisco Championship.

Fukushima has missed two cuts in seven tournaments. Her best finish was a tie for 16th at the Welch's/Circle K Championship.

Through an interpreter, Fukushima said she hasn't been satisfied this year. She sheepishly shook her head when asked about her start.

"I don't know why I also start slow," Fukushima said. "Last year, I didn't win a tournament (her first career victory at the Phillips Invitational) until May.

"I'm still trying to get into a groove."

Pak, who won four tournaments last year including the season-ending PageNet LPGA Tour Championship at the Desert Inn, didn't get her first victory until June at the ShopRite LPGA Classic.

In contrast, Karrie Webb, the hottest player on the LPGA Tour, has had no problems with duplicating her success of last season when she won six times and had 22 top-10 finishes.

Webb, the 1999 Rolex Player of the Year and Vare Trophy winner, has dominated 2000 the same way PGA Tour player Tiger Woods has had a stronghold on the men's game.

Webb won the Nabisco Championship last Sunday, her fourth victory in the five tournaments she has entered.

"She's so strong and has confidence right now," Pak said. "She trusts herself.

"She can be like a Tiger (Woods)."

But even though Webb has been unstoppable, Pak said every tournament is still up for grabs.

"Golf, nobody knows," she said. "OK, one day someone can come and wins it and no one knows them.

"A lot of times the leaderboard is names people know like Karrie, me or Annika (Sorenstam) or Juli (Inkster), but every week could be a different winner."

* ACES AROUND TOWN: Susan Smith aced the par-3 12th hole at the Las Vegas Golf Club on March 22. Smith used a 9-iron from 92 yards out. Charles Devilbiss used a wedge to ace the 11th hole at Angel Park's Cloud Nine Short Course on the same day.

* CHEERS: For all the kids who participated in the Golf Channel's Drive, Chip and Putt Junior Skills Competition last week. In the group for boys 7-8, Darren Saqvi finished first, Arthur Congo second and Ryan Skinner third. In the boys 9-10, Matthew Nolasco was first, Christopher Viravangsa second and Marcus Nolasco third. In the boys 11-12, Kyle Neilsen took first, Joey Martorello second and Ardon Lukasiewicz third. All first-place winners earned trips to Orlando, Fla., for November's finals.

* GOLF TOURNAMENT: The Spring Classic Golf Challenge to benefit Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada will be held April 11 at Stallion Mountain Golf Course. The entry fee is $150 which includes lunch, a tee package and golf. Festivities will begin at noon. For more information call 385-2662.