Happy days are here again as Chun ends her barren run
INCHEON: Local favourite Chun In-Gee shot a final-round 66 to win her first LPGA title in more than two years while world’s top two players Park SungHyun and Ariya Jutanugarn finished tied for third yesterday.
Chun, ranked 27th i n the world, ended up on 16-under 272 to claim the US$300,000 first prize at the LPGA KEB Hana Bank Championships.
The 24-year-old fired seven birdies and one bogey in the final round to finish three strokes ahead of Charley Hull (71) of England at the Sky 72 Golf Club’s Ocean Course in Incheon.
An emotional Chun couldn’t hold back her tears after clinching her third career LPGA win and first non-major title.
“When I realised I won, I just felt the hard times through the last few years had gone away,” she said. “I’m so happy to get this win.”
US Women’s Open champion Ariya (71) had three birdies and a double bogey for a 12-under 276. She shared third place with top-ranked Park (69) of South Korea, Australia’s Minjee Lee (70) and American Danielle Kang (72).
“A lot of fans came out today so I was very grateful and in awe but I’m disappointed I couldn’t show them a better play,” Park said.
The 25-year-old, who will play in the Buick LPGA tournament in Shanghai next week, was disappointed not to have laid down a challenge on the final day.
“As I mentioned earlier, this was a course I was confident with and in the past had scored very well here, and I really wanted to win. But today I wasn’t able to bring my ‘A game,’” she said.
“The world ranking, it always changes so that wasn’t really a big factor. But once you win an event, that lasts forever, so I think winning was more important for me.”
Park’s compatriot and defending champion Ko Jin-Young (64) shot eight birdies to finish seventh at 11 under.
Former world No.1 Lydia Ko of New Zealand was tied 11th on 280.