Bet with caddie behind Chun's British Open charge

[August 06, 2022] 

(Reuters) - Professional golfers often vie for fat paycheques but it is a much smaller prize that is fuelling South Korean Chun In-gee's drive for a maiden Women's British Open crown and a fourth major title.

Chun shot a five-under 66 in the second round at Muirfield on Friday for a one-stroke tournament lead, an inspired showing that had its roots in a bet she had with her caddie.

"Before I started the tournament, my caddie Dean and I spoke about the course and after that, we had a little bit of a bet," Chun told reporters.

"If I make the bogey-free round, he said he's going to buy dinner and pay me like $100 for each day if I can make it."

The 27-year-old made two bogeys in the opening two rounds but added she was determined to set that right over the weekend.

In Gee Chun watches her shot from the fourth tee during the third round of the KPMG Women's PGA Championship golf tournament at Congressional Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports

"Before I start the round, I always set another goal to make a bogey-free round," said Chun. "I think that mindset helped a lot on the course."

Swede Madelene Sagstrom and South Africa's Ashleigh Buhai are tied for second at seven-under heading into Saturday's third round.

(Reporting by Dhruv Munjal in New Delhi; Editing by Kim Coghill)

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