EVIAN - South Korea's Chun In Gee claimed her second major title in record style with a final round 69 at the Evian Championship on Sunday. The 22-year-old led from start to finish and her 21 under par 263 total was two lower than the women's major record.
And it was one better than the men's record set by Jason Day at last year's PGA Championship at Whistling Straits and then equalled by Henrik Stenson at this summer's Open Championship at Royal Troon.
Chun won the $487,500 (440,000 euros) top prize by four shots from another two South Koreans, Ryu So Yeon (66) and Park Sung Hyun (69). China's Feng Shanshan was fourth on 15 under after a 69. Winner of last year's US Women's Open, Chun emulates her legendary compatriot, Pak Se Ri, in claiming major titles for her first two wins on the LPGA Tour.
As a 20-year-old rookie in 1998, Pak, the woman who led the Korean revolution in women's golf, won the LPGA Championship and US Women's Open. World No 1 Lydia Ko, the defending champion, finished with a 73 and was just outside the top 40 on two over par.
But she still had something to celebrate. The winner of the ANA Inspiration in April, she collected the Rolex Annika Major Award for the best overall performance in the season's five majors.
Chun is the second South Korean to win the Evian title since it became a major three years ago. Kim Hyo Joo was the 2014 champion. Chun led by one after an opening 63, was two ahead at halfway and had a four shot lead going into the final round. On a day marred by heavy rain, she never lost her overnight advantage.
Serene from start to finish, she birdied the third, eighth and 15th and her only bogey was a five at the 14th.