Will Chun In-gee capture her second win at Evian Championship?

"The flower of my life has yet to bloom," Chun In-gee said after she captured the major title of the 2016 Evian Championship. The win was a milestone as the South Korean young golfer opened a new chapter by shooting 21-under 263 for a 4-stroke victory, the fewest strokes ever of a tournament in LPGA Tour history. Thanks to her Evian victory, Chun won the Rookie of the Year prize and the Bear last year.

Unfortunately this season, however, Chun has no chance to smile. Having runner-up prizes five times, she has yet to win a single title. She’s earned the label of "jinx in the second year in the LPGA,” as she has narrowly lost the chance to win a title time after time."

Analysts also say that she is making a critical mistake in the final round due to burden on her performance. Back in the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open in August, Chun was playing as lone lead through Hole 11 in the fourth round but lost focus at a critical moment to tie for third as she had her second shot in the bunker in the last hole.

It is time for the 23-year-old to show the critical edge to clinch a win, as she has displayed strong performance by ranking third in average stroke in this season. As world No. 9 Kim In-kyung has already won three titles this season, Chun needs to win anytime sooner.

Against this backdrop, attention is focusing on whether the defending champion will achieve her second consecutive title at the Evian Championship, which will kick off at Evian Resort Golf Club in France on Thursday. Aiming at a win at the season's final major, Chun skipped the 2017 Indy Women in Tech Championship last week. If Chun earns her second win in a row at Evian, she is expected to regain the honor of "Major Queen."

Chun says she wants to enjoy golf rather than feeling pressure for her performance. “Scores are important in golf but it is important for me to have a happy season," Chun said in an interview with LPGA.com on Monday. "I see these scores as variables in solving my equation to achieve a happy season and I look forward to the rest of the season."

Hong-Gu Kang windup@donga.com