2015 U.S. Women’s Open champion In Gee Chun and LPGA of Korea member Sung Hyun Park co-lead the Evian Championship and sit atop the leaderboard at 8-under par. Both players were bogey-free in their opening rounds with eight birdies each and lead Annie Park and Shanshan Feng by one shot.

Chun, who went out early in the morning wave picked up six of her eight birdies on her final nine holes, the front nine, at Evian Resort Golf Club. The 22-year old from Korea holds a commanding lead for the Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year award. She used 28 putts in her round of 63 and did not miss a single green.

Chun credited her commitment to her reads on the greens and her playing partners, Ariya Jutanugarn and Julia Engstrom for her strong play.

“I could see the putting lines very well, and I was so good rolling the ball on those lines,” said Chun. “And then I played with Ariya. I’m always happy to play with Ariya because she’s so nice, and I played with Julia today. She’s so sweet. Thanks to them for making me feel comfortable.”

Chun has had nine top-10 finishes in her rookie season and is playing for her first LPGA win as a member. She won the U.S. Women’s Open as a member of the KLGPA. Known for her unwavering and smiley demeanor on course, Chun admitted that she was somewhat nervous before teeing it up this morning in stormy conditions.

“I don’t know why, but I’m just a little nervous, so try to more focus on my game,” said Chun. “I think because it’s the last major.”

Sung Hyun Park sank an 18-footer on the 18th hole to move into a share of the lead. The 22-year-old has seven victories on the KLPGA this season and leads the Tour’s money list. She’s making her first appearance at the Evian Championship and said that her accuracy off the tee was key to her strong start.

“I worry about tee shot,” said Park. “Tee shot was great. So everything work fine.”

Defending champion Lydia Ko opened with a 1-under 70 and sits in a tie for 28th and seven shots back.

PARK SEEMING POISED

Sung Hyun Park held a poker face when asked if she gets nervous playing on the LPGA Tour. The talented Korean had no hesitation saying she doesn’t get any nerves when she tees it up alongside the world’s best. Park has good reason and has played very well in her first six appearances at LPGA tournaments. She has yet to miss a cut and has recorded four top-6 finishes. She’s trying to become the first non-member winner on the LPGA Tour since Sun Ju Ahn at the 2015 TOTO Japan Classic.

Sung Hyun Park Finishes at LPGA Events

Year	Event	Score	Finish
2016	RICOH Women's British Open	72-70-77-71=290 (+2)	T50
2016	U.S. Women's Open	70-66-74-74=284 (-4)	T3
2016	ANA Inspiration	71-67-71-71= 280 (-8)	T6
2016	Kia Classic	71-66-68-72=277 (-11)	T4
2016	JTBC Founders Cup	66-71-68-66=271 (-17)	T13
2015	LPGA KEB Hana Bank Championship	62-74-67-71=274 (-14)	T2

RYU CONSISTENT ON MAJOR STAGE

So Yeon Ryu hasn’t won on the LPGA Tour since the 2014 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open but the 26-year old has been on the verge of a breakthrough. Since her last win, she’s had 22 top-10 finishes including four top-3’s. Maybe the best sign is that she’s been performing well on the big stages. Ryu is one of only two players on Tour this year to record top-20 finishes in each of the year’s first four majors. She hasn’t finished worse than T11 (U.S. Women’s Open).

The former Rolex Rookie of the Year said there’s just something about the challenge of major championships that really brings out the best in her game. She’s playing for her second major title, trying to add to her 2011 U.S. Women’s Open win.

“You know, every tournament is special, but majors are more special. Also the atmosphere is a little different, and of course the course setup is a bit more difficult than what it is, so I’m the one that always really enjoys the challenge,” said Ryu. “I think that’s why I was able to enjoy major tournaments, and when you enjoy golf, you know you can play well…I know I’m good right now, my tee shot and everything is good right now, so just believe in myself and enjoy my golf.”

So Yeon Ryu’s 2016 Major Record

ANA Inspiration T10

KPMG Women’s PGA Championship T4

U.S. Women’s Open T11

RICOH Women’s British Open T8

A DIFFERENT KO GETS A STRONG START

Jin Young Ko sits five shots back of the lead entering the second round after an opening round 68. Ko has veteran caddie, Dean Herden, on her bag this week. Herden was on the bag for So Yeon Ryu and In Gee Chun’s U.S. Women’s Open wins in 2011 and 2015 respectively.

“I first met Dean last year at Evian third round, so started this year, Dean and me,” Ko said. “So good. Dean is helping for me everything, so I can try with Dean, my game every tournament.”

Ko, a six-time winner (two this year) on the KLPGA, currently ranks second on that Tour’s money list only behind Sung Hyun Park. This is her fourth major championship appearance on the LPGA Tour and seems used to playing on the big stage as she finished solo second at the 2015 RICOH Women’s British Open at Turnberry. Ko held a share of the lead heading into Sunday’s final round.

“I learned at the British last year, I learned everything. I had a great experience last year at the RICOH Women’s British Open, and with that experience I’m trying my best to enjoy this year’s Evian Championship.”

QUOTABLES

“I mean, it seems like ever year there is a really low one, and I always wonder, Man where was that from? I shot 8-under and I said, Where did that come from? It’s not an easy golf course, especially with the rough being juicy.” -Lydia Ko on seeing low numbers up on the leaderboard

“She caddied for me growing up. I mean, I’m always used to her being on the bag. This year was a little bit different because it was my first time having a tour caddie besides her caddying for me. I don’t know. It’s just fun with her on the bag. She keeps it light. She does dances out there. Kind of embarrasses me, but keeps the group fun.” -Annie Park on her mom caddying for her this week for the first time since the LOTTE Championship

“Well, every year I come, I don’t know. It’s a major. Even before it became a major I knew -- I always thought it was as good as a major.” -Shanshan Feng on the Evian Championship

News and Notes - Opening Round Evian Championship

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