Chun breaks course record at Women's PGA Championship to surge clear

Two-time major winner In Gee Chun equalled the lowest opening round in Women's PGA Championship history and also set the new course record at Congressional Country Club with a brilliant 64.

The 27-year-old posted the early lead at eight-under-par with a round which has only been achieved three previous times in the tournament, the last occasion in 2006.

Her nine birdies and one bogey set a new best mark for the recently-remodelled Blue Course in Bethesda, where Rory McIlroy won the US Open by eight shots in 2011.

"I feel so good because I always think when my name is going with something, then I feel very honoured and it makes me keep going to play golf," said In Gee.

A group of six tied for second place at one under par in the morning wave that included defending champion Nelly Korda.

Others shooting a 71 were Jennifer Kupcho, A Lim Kim, Hannah Green, Nasa Hataoka, and Brooke Henderson. Green is the 2019 Women's PGA Championship winner, while Henderson won in 2016.

Chun had a relatively modest start to her round at one under through five holes after starting on the back nine.

She got on a roll starting at the par-four 15th hole with four consecutive birdies to make the turn at five-under 31.

A three-time winner on the LPGA Tour and US Women's Open champion in 2015, Chun had her only stumble of the day on the par-four 10th hole with a bogey. She then fired four more birdies over the next six holes to take a commanding first-round lead.

"I don't know what golf course In Gee is playing!" said Korda.

"She must be playing really well. I would think when I tee it up today, I would be very happy with the score that I shot.

"I think at the beginning part of the day you saw some higher numbers. In Gee is just playing really