Initially denied locker room access at Baltusrol, In Gee Chun ready to defend at KPMG Women’s PGA

SPRINGFIELD, N.J. — In Gee Chun won her third major title last year at the KPMG Women’s PGA, but that doesn’t mean she has the run of the place this week at Baltusrol Golf Club. Chun was denied access to the women’s locker room Wednesday morning after leaving her tournament-specific credential in her golf bag, which was with her caddie.

Chun tried showing her LPGA player badge to the security official but that wasn’t enough.

“But I’m sure I’m player,” Chun pleaded.

Right about then another person looking after the locker room came and out and identified Chun as the defending champion. The humble Chun was all smiles about the mishap as she was prompted by an LPGA official to relay the story to the media.

Chun, 28, is one of only three players in the field this week with three or more major titles. Anna Nordqvist (3) and Laura Davies (4) are the only other players with such a stout major resume. Incredibly, 75 percent of Chun’s LPGA titles are majors.

Chun’s first victory on the LPGA came at the 2015 U.S. Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. In 2016, she won the Evian Championship with a score of 21 under, the lowest winning score for a men’s or women’s major. Last year, she clipped Lexi Thompson and Minjee Lee by one stroke at the first women’s major held at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland.

HOW TO WATCH: 2023 KPMG Women’s PGA

After representing South Korea in the Hanwha International Crown last month, Chun flew back to Korea to see her doctor about the inflammation in her back. She took some time off to rest and then went to work on strengthening her core. Chun returned to the LPGA last week at the Meijer LPGA Classic after a month-long break and reports that she didn’t feel any pain on the course. She’s reduced her pain medicine from twice a day to once.

“It just feels a little sometimes stiff and heavy,” she said, “but once I play golf on the course, it’s no problem.”

Chun tees off with Danielle Kang and Hannah Green at 8:17 a.m. ET on Thursday morning.