torn labrum
sidelines pak

as officials at blackwolf run continue to prepare the course for the u.s. women’s open, July 5-8, comes news that se ri pak, winner of the 1998 open at the kohler, wis., course, will be sidelined indefinitely with a left shoulder injury. pak slipped on a stairway prior to the mobile bay lpga classic and suffered a slight tear in her labrum when she braced herself against a railing. “there is no timeline for my return,” pak, 34, said in a statement released by the tour. “i know the next two months of rehab will be important for my recovery.” two months is about how much time is left before the open, and it would be a shame if the most influential korean player in history wouldn’t be able to play at the site of her most memorable victory. the 20-hole playoff win over Jenny chuasiriporn was the second of pak’s 25 career wins and also the second of her five majors— both tops among koreans, who have become dominant on tour since pak’s breakout 14 years ago. pak hasn’t won since 2010, but had played well recently with top- 10s at the kia classic and kraft nabisco championship. she hopes the rest will help her avoid surgery and says she’ll return to the tour “when the time is right.” the “right” time would be the u.s. women’s open. we’ll see if she’s ready. —John Antonini (@johnantoninigw)