U.S. Women's Open
LPGA pro makes Pebble Beach history with hole-in-one, her second ace in a major in 2023
Harry How
PEBBLE BEACH — In Gee Chun is a three-time major winner and 2015 U.S. Women’s Open champion, but she was something of a third wheel earlier in the week at Pebble Beach. She had either the good fortune or misfortune to be grouped with Michelle Wie West and Annika Sorenstam in their farewell march in the 78th U.S. Women’s Open.
Chun, a 28-year-old from South Korea, impressively kept her focus amid the hoopla by shooting 72-72 in the first two rounds to easily make the cut, though she stumbled a bit in the third round with a 75.
On Sunday, Chun was very much in the spotlight while producing a slice of USGA history when she made a hole-in-one at the cliffside No. 5. It will be remembered as the first ace in a Women’s U.S. Open at Pebble Beach.
The field was aided on Sunday when the fifth tee was moved up to 143 yards, but with a tricky crosswind still makes it a tough ace. Chun’s shot landed about 30 feet short of the hole, settled into a smooth roll and fell into the cup. Chun raised her arms in celebration and got congratulations from playing partner Angel Yin.
Aces and majors are becoming a pleasingly regular thing for Chun. In April, during the third round of the Chevron Championship at The Club at Carlton Woods outside Houston, Chun aced the 17th hole and won $1 million for several charitable partners of the tournament.
The hole-in-one could be extremely valuable to Chun this time. With it, she moved into the top 10 during her ongoing final round, and any finish inside that number is worth at least $260,000.
The goods new for her, too, is that there are two more majors left to be played this season.