Chun Spends Day at THE PLAYERS, Caddies For Noh

In Gee Chun’s first trip to a PGA Tour event was a memorable one.

Tuesday, the two-time major champion spent the day at THE PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass. It was a day of firsts for the Korean who was attending not only her first PGA Tour event, but also took up the role of caddie for the first time. A friend of fellow Korean Seung-Yul Noh, Chun offered to caddie a few holes for Noh during his Tuesday practice round. Chun took the job seriously, hoisting the bag onto her shoulders starting at the par five, 16^th and continuing onto the famed par three, 17^th and then the par four, 18^th.

Photo Courtesy: Saboo Lee

While at the 17^th hole, Chun grabbed a club from Noh’s bag and hit to the island green.

“I saw that hole on TV before, but today was the first time to see with my eyes. I felt like the greens are smaller,” Chun told LPGA.com. “Before I hit the shot the other player told me, ‘In Gee a lot of water on the left side and right side and wind is right to left.’ I was still nervous to hit the shot, but I was happy I hit the green and I didn’t lose any balls.”

The hole was playing 148 yards on Tuesday. Chun, who would normally hit a nine iron opted for an eight and it paid off. Her ball landed on the front left of the green, but funneled back towards the fringe on the left side. Chun says she didn’t practice or hit any shots to prepare for the shot at the 17th . The whole stunt was filmed by PGA Tour Entertainment who interviewed the pair afterwards about their experience.

“Everything was a great experience for me because it’s my first time visiting a PGA Tour event. Also, it was awesome caddying for Seung-Yul Noh today from 16 to 18. It was fun.”

After her caddie duties wrapped up for the afternoon, Chun cruised the driving range and nearby chipping area for players she was interested in meeting. She came across Rory McIlroy at the practice chipping area and stopped to introduce herself and take a selfie.

“He’s a great golfer. This is the first time to meet him face to face. It was nice to meet him. I hope he plays well this week.”

Chun also stopped to say hello to Graeme McDowell at the fourth tee where she borrowed driver from his bag and hit her own tee shot.

Then it was off to the PING trailer where she brought a few of her wedges to be re-gripped. While inside the trailer she had a chance to take a look at Bubba Watson’s pink driver.