IL MI CHUNG

The Facts

Capsule Bio

Il Mi Chung is one of the top players on the KLPGA, and has been for several years (in 2002 she was 2nd on the money list). Among her notable accomplishments are winning the Korean Open, beating such luminaries as Se Ri Pak, Gloria Park, Juli Inkster and Soo Yun Kang. Chung said at the time that she had no desire to come to the LPGA and was content to stay in Korea. However, in late 2003 she played the LPGA Q-School and succeeded in getting an exempt card for 2004.

2004 was not a good season for Il Mi, however. Shortly before leaving for the US, she lost her sponsorship deal. She had a hard time adjusting to the travel and conditions in the States, and only made $14,648 all year. However, at the end of the season, she got a new sponsor, a Korean golf manufacturer. With the pressure of earning money in events somewhat relieved, she promised that she would show the LPGA what she was capable of in 2005.

And indeed, 2005 proved her best season to date on tour. She even put herself into contention to win at the Canadian Women's Open, finishing third in the end. She made over $200,000 on the year and easily maintained her tour card for 2006.

In 2006, she improved yet again, finishing within the top 40 on the money list, and thus earning a two year exempt card. The highlight of her year was contending for the million dollar payout at the ADT Championship. She was only a shot or two out of the money until the 16th hole on Sunday, when she made a mistake that dropped her to fourth. Still, she had her career year.

2007 was a little bit of a step back; she had no top ten finishes that year, and only finished 51st on the money list, but still easily maintained her exempt status for 2008.

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