By Mike Kahn
CBS SportsLine Executive Editor
Sept. 11, 1998

KENT, Wash. -- She was surrounded by teachers and family, allies and competitors, with an air of expectation as thick as any cloud cover in the Pacific Northwest.

This

Se Ri Pak's season has been right on line. (AP)

is what has become of the 1998 sensation in professional golf, Se Ri Pak, who at the age of 20 already is a national hero in her homeland of South Korea. It isn't surprising, as much as overwhelming for her. Pak's game was always there and the difference now is the other pros have watched how her maturity has grown with regard to course management.

"Just to compete, I must think more to get better," Pak said. "Whenever I go out, I think I can win."

AFTER SHE WON the LPGA Championship, then the U.S. Women's Open, the media came out of the woodwork. Pak shattered the LPGA record books with a 61 in Toledo at the Jamie Farr Kroger Classic. It was all pretty overwhelming for a young Asian woman who barely spoke English.

Now, she's won $800,076, just behind leader Annika Sorenstam ($806,188), and a rhythm of golf tournaments has taken control of her life.

"This year is quick, almost end of season already. I'm almost finished," Pak said. "Everything is different every week, but everything is getting easier. I have more confidence, more comfortable. Every time I have many interviews, talk to people and players. I talk to media and friends to get better (at speaking English)."

The money isn't the factor with her, however. She says her hopes as a rookie included a Top-10 finish in earnings, and she is optimistic this week at the $600,000 Safeco Classic. Karrie Webb is seeking an unprecedented third win in a row at Meridian Valley Country Club, but nobody is overlooking Pak.

"All the attention given to Annika and Se Ri has taken some attention away from me, which is fine," Webb said. "What Se Ri has done, with winning two majors, that's drawn a lot more attention than I received. I can sympathize with her having to deal with all she has to deal with."

THE ONLY DIFFERENCE BEING, WEBB IS Australian, so the adjustment to playing in the States was minimal in comparison. Even coming to the Pacific Northwest - the closest comparison to Asia - is new and different for Pak.

"I hear Seattle is beautiful and I want to do some shopping," she said.

But she never heard of the Space Needle, and isn't crazy about riding to the top and taking a look at the entire area as it slowly moves 360 degrees. "I don't know . . . ," Pak mused.

She is a sturdily built 5-7, 147 pounds, and wants to get stronger. Her game is filled with both power and finesse, the rare but crucial gifts of only the exceptional golfers. But Pak knows conditioning is necessary for her to be a long-range success.

When she's not playing, Pak hangs out with her dog Happy, shops, plays video games and reads books. You can say her favorite hobby, as is the case for that age group -- is unadulterated sleep. Winning and money isn't everything to her. Happiness comes in a variety of forms she continues to consider.

"I just want to play golf and do my best. I don't care about the leader in money," Pak said. "I don't want to push myself. I don't want to think about winner. Maybe later in week, but not right now. I just wanted to finish in top-10 every time. I didn't know I could win so quick. This year is surprise. Now I have more confidence."

SOON ENOUGH, THERE WILL BE A BREAK in the action. Nancy Lopez has always been her role model, not only from the size and skill perspective, but personality. She's working on being a friend to everybody, while trying to figure out what to do with the one month off until golf '99 begins.

"I will work out to make my body stronger," Pak said. "Maybe one week just for fun, go skiing or somewhere for vacation. Not much time for fun, only four weeks until first tournament next year."

She means everything to her native land. There are special sections just for Se Ri Pak in nearly every South Korean newspaper. Maybe golf and this country thought it had seen everything with Tiger Woods. This is an entirely new deal with Se Ri Pak.

"I won't change schedule much," Pak said. "I played six week in a row. Every week was getting more busy. My mind was tired maybe. I understand many Korean want me to win. I maybe have no time to rest. Many meetings, see many people. I know I have many things to do when I go back.

"Golf is not that easy. Nobody knows who will win. I just play my best."

It's just that nobody knew that her best would turn out to be better than most on the LPGA Tour.