Inbee Park will return to the LPGA Tour next week after a short hiatus to allow a nagging back injury to heal.
The seven-time major winner will compete in the Honda LPGA Thailand, according to Golf Channel.
Park withdrew from the season-opening Pure Silk Bahamas Classic three weeks ago with lower-back pain, a persistent condition the world No. 2 said at the time occasionally worsens to the point where it's difficult to play. She tried to soldier through, shooting a first-round 80 for her worst LPGA round in seven years. She didn't bother to play in Round 2, opting to get home, rest and get some treatment.
“I’ve always had little lower back problems and some weeks it just gets a bit worse,” Park said after withdrawing in the Bahamas.
Park has a good record in the Honda LPGA Thailand, especially considering she notoriously starts the year slowly. She won the event in 2013, finished second in her title defense the next year and was T-7 in 2015.
So long as Park has a healthy outcome next week, the good news is that the start will count toward her satisfying the LPGA's rules for maintaining membership. At a minimum, if Park does that this season, she officially qualifies for the LPGA Hall of Fame, having completed 10 seasons on the circuit -- the formality of a piece left after Park earned the 27th and final point needed to qualify for the Hall when she won last year's Vare Trophy for lowest scoring average.
