Leaderboards 
Become a Member 
Shop 
Trade In Events
Major Analysis: It’s Moving Day at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship
By Keith Stewart, PGA
Published on
In Gee Chun of South Korea watches her shot from the ninth tee during the second round of the KPMG Women's PGA Championship at Congressional Country Club on June 24, 2022 in Bethesda, Maryland. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
History has a funny way of repeating itself. In 2011, Rory McIlroy led the U.S. Open by six shots and his two-round total of 11-under-par. Through 36 holes of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, In Gee Chun has a two-day total of 11-under-par and leads by, you guessed it, six shots. Even though Congressional Country Club has undergone a transformation to their Blue Course, it seems this Major venue loves historic play.
Not enough can be said of Chun’s run at a third major championship title. We covered her historic opening round. Over the last six KPMG PGA Championships the winner has led or co-led after 36-holes. The data tells a story and history frames the picture, but this is golf, and we all know winning is extremely hard. Especially when expectations start to exceed our mindset to stay in the present.
In Gee Chun of South Korea reacts after making her putt on the second green during the second round of the KPMG Women's PGA Championship at Congressional Country Club on June 24, 2022 in Bethesda, Maryland. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
A six-shot lead with 36-holes to play is not insurmountable. The key for all the chasers is to keep their foot on the accelerator. They know the deficit and emitted an aura of intensity for the pursuit on the driving range this morning. Can someone catch Chun? History tells us no, but after a look at KPMG Performance Insights, it will be interesting to see how it all plays out.
Jennifer Kupcho of the United States prepares to play her shot from the ninth tee during the second round of the KPMG Women's PGA Championship at Congressional Country Club on June 24, 2022 in Bethesda, Maryland. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Jennifer Kupcho, one the most consistent players all season and currently tied for second, won the Chevron Championship in April and is looking for back-to-back victories after winning in Michigan. Remember, Nelly Korda accomplished the feat in 2021, winning the Meijer Classic the week before the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship..
Alongside Kupcho in a tie for second is Lydia Ko. She’s been incredibly consistent as well this season, finishing inside the Top 10 six times in 11 events. In fact, she hasn’t finished outside the Top 25 in 2022. Some may say she should be winning more, but if she reels in In Gee this week, she’ll be in the conversation for Player of the Year.
Sei Young Kim is seven back of Chun. We know anyone looking to catch In Gee will need a low round. Just so happens Sei Young has more rounds in the 60’s than anyone else since 2015 in major championships with 47. No doubt she’ll need numbers 48 and 49 to do it this weekend, but she’s shown she can do it.
Minjee Lee of Australia plays her shot from the third tee during the third round of the KPMG Women's PGA Championship at Congressional Country Club on June 25, 2022 in Bethesda, Maryland. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Winning the U.S. Women’s Open by four shots proves Minjee Lee is a “major” player. Her ability to move on the weekend of a Championship is apparent. Nobody since 2018 has more rounds of 67 or better in Major Championships than Lee with 11. She is eight back to start the day. Can she make it back-to-back Majors?
There’s a who’s who of talent chasing In Gee this weekend. Though she has history on her side, it will take an incredible final two rounds to ward off the best in the world.
The 2022 KPMG PGA is officially underway. For complete Round 3 television coverage tune into NBC from 1:00 to 4:00 pm EDT Saturday. Complete coverage is provided at https://www.kpmgwomenspgachampionship.com/
