Korea’s In Gee Chun (67–139), a two-time major champion, will surpass $4,000,000 in career LPGA earnings this weekend at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, and that’s likely good news for lots of young people in the state of Pennsylvania. Chun, 26, captured the 2015 U.S. Women’s Open at Lancaster, about a 90-minute drive from Newtown Square, and has made a big connection to the Lancaster community.
It was in Lancaster that Chun met a woman she calls “my second grandmom,” who sits on the board of the In Gee Chun Lancaster Education Foundation. The foundation is in its fourth year and helps students attain their educational and vocational goals. Chun says she currently has given scholarships to 21 local caddies and students. One recipient who has started an internship with the PGA of America followed Chun’s group and then thanked her afterward for her generosity.
“It was a great memory,” Chun said, smiling.
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Mirim Lee, the 2020 ANA Inspiration champion, withdrew on Friday, citing injury. She shot 77 in the opening round, and decided to withdraw after playing nine holes on Friday.
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Australia’s Hannah Green, defending champion of the KPMG, showed a lot of heart on Friday. A bogey at the eighth hole dropped her to 9 over for the tournament (she shot 77 Thursday), but she responded by shooting 4-under 31 on the back to post 66 and make the cut with a shot to spare.
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Su Oh notched the first eagle at Aronimink this week when she made 3 at the par-5 16th hole. The tee was moved up slightly and the hole played 499 yards.
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Leader Sei Young Kim has some pretty strong company after shooting 29 in competition on the front nine at Aronimink.
Justin Rose and Tiger Woods each shot 29 on that nine in the 2018 BMW Championship. It rained much of that week in 2018 and conditions certainly were easier than what Kim faced on Friday.
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The tournament has early finishes slated for both weekend telecasts. NBC airs the third round on Saturday noon-3 p.m., and the fourth round on Sunday from noon-2 p.m.
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Stephanie Connelly Eiswerth (Fleming Island, Fla.) led the contingent of eight PGA/LPGA club professionals competing at the KPMG Women's PGA, none of whom made the cut to play on the weekend. Connelly Eiswerth shot 71 on Friday, but missed the cut by three shots.
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Klara Spilkova breached the Pace of Play Policy and was assessed a two-shot penalty as she completed the 15th hole Friday. She thus took a double-bogey 6 at 15, shot 73, and missed the cut by a shot.