In a stunning display of precision and power, former U.S. Women’s Open champion A Lim Kim seized the early lead at the Lotte Championship in Hawaii with a sizzling 6-under 66. The 26-year-old South Korean, whose lone LPGA Tour victory came at the 2020 U.S. Women’s Open, wasted no time making her presence felt at the picturesque Hoakalei Country Club.
Kim’s Fast Start Sets the Tone
Kim’s round began with a bang as she eagled the opening hole, immediately putting the field on notice. She continued her assault on the course, reeling off birdies with machine-like efficiency. Her stellar play left her one shot clear of a tightly bunched leaderboard that includes Bianca Pagdanganan, Ruixin Liu, Polly Mack, and Perrine Delacour, all of whom carded impressive 5-under 67s.
For Kim, who currently sits at No. 65 in the Race to CME Globe, a strong showing in Hawaii is crucial. With only two events remaining before the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship, she needs to climb into the top 60 to secure her spot in the lucrative event, which boasts a $4 million prize for the winner.
It’s a good start today, so I think a fun day.
– A Lim Kim
High Stakes for the Field
Kim wasn’t the only player with plenty on the line in Hawaii. The top 100 players on the LPGA Tour’s money list at the conclusion of next week’s tournament will retain their full playing privileges for the 2025 season. Pagdanganan, who began the week at No. 107, put herself in prime position to secure her card with a bogey-free 67 that included a clutch birdie on the 18th hole.
The blustery afternoon conditions at Hoakalei Country Club kept scores in check, with only a handful of players managing to break 70. Among them was 14-year-old amateur Honorine Nobuta Ferry, who grew up on Oahu and received a sponsor’s exemption to make her LPGA debut. The talented teen acquitted herself well, posting a respectable 2-over 74.
Big Names Lurking
While Kim stole the show on day one, several prominent players are well-positioned to make a weekend charge. Ayaka Furue, who captured her first major title at the 2022 Evian Championship, opened with a solid 2-under 70. The rising Japanese star is in the hunt for the Vare Trophy, awarded to the player with the lowest scoring average for the season.
Also at 2-under is world No. 3 Jin Young Ko, who is seeking to extend her remarkable streak of winning at least one LPGA Tour event in each of the last seven years. The two-time major champion is renowned for her consistency and will undoubtedly be a factor as the tournament progresses.
The Stage is Set
As the sun set on a memorable first day at the Lotte Championship, one thing was abundantly clear: the stage is set for a thrilling finish in paradise. With so much at stake – from the $300,000 winner’s check to the coveted LPGA Tour cards for 2025 – the pressure will only intensify as the field battles the course, the elements, and each other over the next three days.
Can A Lim Kim maintain her torrid pace and claim her second LPGA Tour title? Will a seasoned veteran emerge from the pack to steal the spotlight? Or will an unheralded underdog rise to the occasion and etch her name in the history books? One thing is certain: golf fans won’t want to miss a single shot as this captivating drama unfolds amidst the breathtaking beauty of Hawaii.
