A Lim Kim opened the LOTTE Championship with a bogey-free 65 in difficult Hawaii conditions, taking a one-shot lead over Yu Liu and Ina Yoon.
A Lim Kim didn’t let Hawaii’s wind and rain get in the way of another strong performance at the LOTTE Championship.
The defending tournament champion handled difficult conditions at Hoakalei Country Club on Thursday, firing a bogey-free 7-under 65 to grab a one-shot lead after the opening round.
Kim, who won the LOTTE Championship in 2024, made her biggest move late in the round by stringing together three consecutive birdies at Nos. 15, 16 and 17 before finishing with a par at the par-5 18th.
With intermittent rain adding another variable to an already wind-sensitive golf course, Kim said controlling the golf ball became especially important.
“Trajectory for control and then putting really important on this course because it is very windy,” Kim said. “And then today rain is back and forth, back and forth, so tough conditions.”
The conditions clearly didn’t bother her much.
Kim’s 65 left her one shot ahead of Yu Liu and Ina Yoon, who each opened with 6-under 66s.
Yoon briefly reached 7 under and pulled even with Kim after making birdie at the par-4 third, her 12th hole of the day. A bogey three holes later dropped her back, and she finished with three straight pars.
Liu joined Yoon at 6 under with a closing birdie at the par-3 ninth.
There’s already plenty of firepower lurking behind the leaders.
World No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul opened with a 5-under 67 and shares fourth with Polly Mack, Michelle Zhang, Auston Kim, Maja Stark and Chanettee Wannasaen.
Thitikul also dealt with multiple weather interruptions.
“Annoying that we had rain, like two waits on rain,” Thitikul said. “But the good thing is it wasn’t taking that long.”
Hawaii native and former U.S. Women’s Open champion Allisen Corpuz remained within striking distance after shooting a 4-under 68.
For A Lim Kim, however, Thursday was another reminder of just how comfortable she looks at Hoakalei.
The three-time LPGA Tour winner already owns a U.S. Women’s Open title and knows how to finish tournaments. Now she has another early opportunity to defend a trophy in Hawaii.
