The new major-league golf queen aspires for a bigger stage

“I believe I haven’t reached a peak in my life yet. I would like to be a medal winner in the Olympics four years from now,” said Evian Championship winner Chun In-gee Monday during a press conference at Incheon International Airport. She made clear of her aspirations to run in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Chun stayed at the 13th place in the Rio Olympics, which was not a score she longed for but a good experience. Competing in the Olympic stage was her biggest goal in the season, and it has become her turning point. “I have learned a lot watching In-bee (the gold medalist in Rio) play. I was a little disappointed at my performance in Rio but I decided to take the mindset to do better at the major-league Championships, and I made it this time,” she said.

When asked about her tendency to perform better at bigger games, represented by the fact that the two times she won LPGA championships were both in major-league games, she reaffirmed her confidence, saying, “The burden of a major-league game is more exhilarating.” Her victory has virtually made her the single top candidate for the season’s best rookie award. “Gaby Lopez, another candidate for the award, gave me a big congratulation. I am very grateful that I’m surrounded by great colleagues at the LPGA, apart from the harsh competition.”

Chun will play to defend her crown in the Japan Women’s Open next week and the Hite Jinro Championship next month in Korea. “I’ll try my best to maintain good performance, especially as I will be playing as the defending champion,” the 22-year-old said.

The young golf queen celebrated her victory once again at the airport before the home crowd by kissing the trophy. She said it felt more real as soon as she landed on her home country. She hit high-fives with her fans and took pictures with them, despite security agents’ concerns.

인천=강홍구기자 windup@donga.com