In a thrilling third round at the Lotte Championship, South Korea’s A Lim Kim delivered the shot of the tournament thus far – a scintillating hole-in-one on the par-3 ninth hole that propelled her to the top of the leaderboard. Kim, the 2020 U.S. Women’s Open champion, carded a 5-under 67 on another windy day at Hoakalei Country Club to reach 14-under par overall, giving her a one-stroke advantage heading into Saturday’s final round.
The 29-year-old credited a combination of calculation and good fortune for her ace, telling reporters after the round, “Calculate number and then chose line and then hit it. I think 99% lucky.” Kim’s hole-in-one was the unquestionable highlight, but her strong finish also played a crucial role in her ascent to the lead.
Bouncing Back and Charging Ahead
Despite a bogey on the challenging par-4 16th hole, Kim showed great resilience, responding with back-to-back birdies on the 17th and 18th to separate herself from the chasing pack. Her laser-like focus and unflappable demeanor down the stretch impressed onlookers and fellow competitors alike.
Every tournament I think same — focus on my line and then hit it. That’s it. Any result, I don’t care.
– A Lim Kim on her mindset during the round
A Crowded Leaderboard and a Russian Rising Star
Hot on Kim’s heels is 21-year-old Russian phenom Nataliya Guseva, who fired a solid 68 to sit just one shot off the lead at 13-under par. Guseva, seeking to become the first Russian winner on the LPGA Tour, has been a model of consistency all week, although she did stumble with her third consecutive bogey on the 17th hole in round three.
Still, the young talent remains optimistic about her chances, noting, “I enjoy playing out there. Still a lot of wind, but not as much as yesterday. Super excited for tomorrow.” With Kim and Guseva leading the way, a host of other contenders are still very much in the mix heading into the final round.
Chasing Pack Hungry for Victory
Ryann O’Toole, who carded a 69 on Friday, sits three strokes back at 11-under par, while world No. 1 Jin Young Ko, Aussie Auston Kim, and Japan’s Yuri Yoshida are all within striking distance at 10-under. O’Toole, in particular, expressed some frustration with the pace of play during her round, describing it as “turtle slow.”
With so many talented players in contention and the ever-present challenge of the gusty Hawaiian winds, the stage is set for a memorable final round showdown at the Lotte Championship. Can A Lim Kim, buoyed by her sensational hole-in-one and late birdies, secure her second LPGA Tour title? Or will one of her pursuers, such as the rising star Guseva or the seasoned Ko, manage to overtake her and claim the trophy?
As the sun sets on Hoakalei Country Club after an eventful third round, golf fans around the world will eagerly await the final chapter of this captivating tournament. With the winds of change swirling and the promise of an unpredictable, action-packed finish, the Lotte Championship is poised to deliver a conclusion that will be remembered for years to come.
