Inbee Park, seven-time major champion and LPGA Tour Hall of Famer, was a winless teenager the last time the world sent its finest women's golfers on a business trip to Minnesota.
"I hadn't even won as a professional the last time I went there," she said by phone last month. "I have great memories of Minnesota. That's the best I ever putted in my life. I wish something good can happen there again."
Her opportunity has arrived. Winner of the 2008 U.S. Women's Open at Interlachen at 19, the now-30-year-old Park will tee it up at another iconic Minnesota venue, Hazeltine National, when the KPMG Women's PGA Championship begins Thursday.
"The practice rounds will be my first look at Hazeltine, but everyone knows the history," Park said. "With KPMG on board, we're getting to play some of the classic courses the men play for their majors and Ryder Cups. I just hope I putt like I did at Interlachen."
Another memorable figure from the 2008 U.S. Women's Open hopes otherwise. Stacy Lewis, 34, led after three rounds in her pro debut at Interlachen, but could have used Park's putter and steady nerves in a final-round 78 that left her tied for third, five shots behind Park's 9-under 283.
"I played with her [in May] and I told her [longtime caddie Brad Beecher], 'I love to watch Inbee putt' because every putt looks like it has a chance," Lewis said. "There's nobody out there on our tour that does that. She's a Hall of Famer. She won an Olympic gold medal [in 2016]. What Inbee has done since that U.S. Open in Minnesota is crazy impressive."
Ranked No. 10 in the world, Park said her ball-striking right now "is as good as it's ever been." She ranks 12th in greens in regulation (74.8 percent). But her putting is far from 2008 form, ranking 69th (30.14 putts per round).
"I'm a lot more solid overall than 2008," Park said. "But, putting-wise, I was at my best in 2008. If I can putt like I did in 2008, I think I can still win a lot of majors."