Chun sets top-10 LPGA goal

Following a year where she has won major tournaments in the U.S., Japan and South Korea, rising South Korean star Chun In-gee said Wednesday that it was her aim to finish in the top-10 of the LPGA Tour money list next season when she will play full-time in America for the first time.

   Speaking at Mission Hills Haikou where she was preparing for the Friday start of the 550,000 U.S. dollars Hyundai China Ladies Open, the 21-year-old Chun, a winner of eight tournaments worldwide this year, now has the opportunity to become the first player to win major titles on four tours in a single season if she can emerge victorious in Hainan Island this week.

   Her titles include the U.S. Women's Open, Japan LPGA majors in the World Ladies Championship Salonpas Cup and Japan Women's Open Golf Championship and LPGA Tour of Korea (KLPGA Tour)) majors in the Hite Jinro Championship and KB Financial Star Championship.

   "Obviously, I am very satisfied with my performance this year. I had a sweep of major wins in the United States, Japan and (South) Korea, which definitely exceeded my expectations entering this year. In fact, my record is so great that I doubt if I can figure out an encore next season," said Chun, who is currently ranked ninth in the world.

   "I will start to play on the U.S. LPGA Tour next year. I wouldn't set a goal like this year, which would put so many pressures on me and make me exhausted in the end. Top 10 in U.S. LPGA money list is fine to me."

   After finishing runner-up to Kim Hyo-joo at last year's Hyundai China Ladies Open in Shenzhen, the ninth consecutive year that a South Korean had won the championship, Chun said it wasn't automatic that one of her compatriots would win the 10th edition of the tournament as she felt players from around the region were improving.

   The tournament is a co-sponsored event between the China LPGA Tour and the KLPGA Tour. It is the final event of the 2015 China LPGA Tour season and first tournament of the 2016 KLPGA Tour season.  

   "For past nine years the winner is always from Korea, but Chinese players improved fast," said Chun. "Babe Liu (Chinese Taipei) played practice rounds with me. We are good friends. She played well and had a nice finish at the Japan LPGA qualifying tournament. Shi Yuting is always there. So anyone can win this week, including Chinese players."

   A player who has performed consistently well in China is Kim Hyo-joo. After beating Chun at last year's championship by two strokes for her second Hyundai China Ladies Open title, the 20-year-old has won twice this year, including the Kumho Tire Ladies Open in Shandong in July.

   "I played better in the first half of the year than the second part. I felt a little frustrated. I didn't have injuries, you know, my body was just not so fine. I got sick. I had a cold and bowel disorders. But I think I laid a solid foundation for next year," said Kim, the world No. 10 who earned her first major title last year at the Evian Championship in France.

   "This is the 10th edition of Hyundai China Ladies Open. I played three times and won twice. I believe it's a good record. I mean I felt more comfortable here than other tournaments. Three wins would be great and I will try my best to do it. But you know the field is deep, (South) Korean players are always strong. There could be a (South) Korean winner on Sunday, again. Hopefully, that one is me."

   Other top South Koreans in the field this week include Park Sung-hyu, a three-time winner who was second on the KLPGA Order of Merit in 2015, No. 6 Bae Seon-woo, No. 7 Kim Min-sun, No. 8 Kim Bo-kyung and No. 10 Ha Min-song.  Endi