[Yonhap News Photo]
Fresh off her record-breaking LPGA major victory in France, South Korean golfer Chun In-gee said Tuesday she was fueled by her "disappointing" showing at the Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympics last month.
Chun returned home Tuesday after capturing the Evian Championship at 21-under 263, the lowest score both in relation to par and in aggregate in LPGA history. She'd already tied the previous LPGA mark of 19-under after three rounds, and was never seriously challenged in the final round despite rainy conditions.
It was Chun's second LPGA victory and both wins have come at major championships. She won the U.S. Women's Open last year as a non-member.
Chun got off to a strong start in her first full LPGA season, which enabled her to qualify for the Rio Games as one of four South Koreans. She tied two others in 13th place at five-under, with countrywoman Park In-bee taking the gold medal at 16-under.
Looking back, Chun said the Olympic experience was "a huge turning point" for her season.
"My biggest goal this year was to compete at the Olympics, but I wasn't feeling 100 percent healthy leading up to the event," Chun told reporters at Incheon International Airport.
"I was disappointed and angry with myself. And watching In-bee play such great golf up close inspired me a great deal. I wanted to make up for it at this major (Evian Championship) and gave it everything I had."
The Olympic field was limited to four players per nation, and with South Korea boasting a deep talent pool in women's golf, some LPGA major champions fell victim to the number's game and were left off the team.
Chun, who rose to No. 3 in the world rankings after Evian, understands she will have her work cut out to make the Olympic team in four years' time. And her mediocre debut this year has left her wanting for more.
"Now that I've played in one, I want to go for the gold medal," she said. "If I have another opportunity to play four years later, I'd like to bite on an Olympic medal."
(Yonhap)
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
