EDINA, Minn. — Inbee Park gazed at the names on the silver trophy that now belongs to her, amazed that someone who only learned how to play golf 10 years ago could join such a select group as U.S. Women's Open champions.

One name in particular meant the world to her.

Se Ri Pak wasn't at Interlachen Country Club on Sunday when the 19-year-old Park made three birdies on the back nine to pull away for a four-shot victory over Helen Alfredsson. It was the first time since Pak won the Women's Open in 1998 that she missed the cut.

Even so, Park couldn't have won without her.

"I really would like to thank Se Ri for what she's done for golf, for Korean golf," Park said. "Ten years ago, I was watching her winning this event on TV. I didn't know anything about golf back then. But I was watching her. It was very impressive for a little girl. I just thought that I could do it, too."

Pak was 20 when she captured the Women's Open at Blackwolf Run, setting off a craze in South Korea. Not since Francis Ouimet won the 1913 U.S. Open has a single player inspired a nation of golfers.

Park became the fifth South Korean to win an LPGA Tour major, the second only to the list of American major champions. And she replaced Pak as the youngest winner of the U.S. Women's Open, still two weeks shy of her 20th birthday.