Los angeles: Two South Korean players have come up short at the oldest major championship in women's golf. Chun In-gee finished alone in fourth place at the 81st U.S. Women's Open at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, near Los Angeles, at six-under 278, two behind the champion, Nelly Korda of the United States. Chun shot one-under 70 in the final round with four birdies and three bogeys.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Chun's countrywoman, Kim Sei-young, finished one stroke back of Chun for fifth place. Kim began the final round tied for the lead with Korda, the world No. 1, at six-under but the South Korean shot 72 on Sunday with four birdies and five bogeys. Chun was going for her fourth career major title and Kim was chasing her second.
Charley Hull of England and Gaby Lopez of Mexico tied for second place at seven-under. Hull made an early run with three birdies over her first six holes while playing three groups ahead of Korda and Kim. Chun, playing in the penultimate pairing, also tried to hang around, with a chip-in birdie on the seventh taking her within a shot of the lead at seven-under.
Hull surged to the lead at eight-under with a birdie at the par-5 11th, and Chun joined her moments later with a birdie at the 10th. Hull gave back a shot with a bogey at the 12th, leaving Chun alone at the top. With Hull and Kim both struggling and Korda stuck in neutral, Chun birdied the 11th to reach nine-under and grab a two-shot lead-the first time a player grabbed a two-stroke advantage in the final round.
However, Chun then encountered difficulties. She found some deep stuff on the left with her tee shot at the 12th en route to her first bogey of the day. She missed the fairway to the right on the next hole and made another bogey there, creating a four-way tie for the lead at seven-under with Kim, Lopez, and Korda.
Kim fell out of contention with bogeys at the 13th and 14th. Chun continued to save pars despite missing shots but failed to join Hull and Lopez in the clubhouse at seven-under after a bogey on the last hole. Despite the missed opportunity, Chun expressed pride in her performance and optimism for future tournaments.
Kim reflected on her missed chances, particularly a two-foot par putt on the 10th green that affected her momentum. Korda clinched her second straight major title and fourth overall by grabbing the lead at eight-under with a nine-foot birdie putt on the 17th green and securing victory with a two-foot par putt on the final hole.