A Lim Kim opened the LOTTE Championship with a bogey-free 7-under-par 65 on Wednesday, navigating persistent rain and wind at Hoakalei Country Club to claim a one-stroke lead after the first round.
Kim, who was the winner of the LOTTE Championship in 2024, demonstrated her comfort with the Hawaii conditions by finishing her round with a late surge. After a steady start, she recorded three consecutive birdies on holes 15, 16, and 17 to move past a crowded leaderboard and secure the top spot heading into the second round.
The day was marked by difficult weather that forced two separate rain delays during the morning wave. Despite the interruptions and the breezy coastal conditions, the scoring at the top remained low. Kim’s performance continues a run of strong form following her runner-up finish at the Women’s Scottish Open earlier this season.
Chasers and Leaderboard Stability
Kim holds a narrow advantage over Ina Yoon and Yu Liu, who both posted rounds of 6-under 66 to sit in a tie for second place. Yoon and Liu were among the early starters who had to manage the stop-and-start nature of the morning play due to the weather.
The LPGA leaderboard remains tightly packed behind the leaders. Six players are tied for fourth at 5-under par, including world No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul. Joining Thitikul at 67 are Polly Mack, Michelle Zhang, Auston Kim, Maja Stark, and Chanettee Wannasaen.
Thitikul, one of the tournament favorites, managed to stay within striking distance despite being caught in the more volatile morning weather. Her round included five birdies and no bogeys, matching Kim’s clean card but falling two shots short of the lead.
Local Interest and Tournament Context
Hawaii native and Solheim Cup star Allisen Corpuz finished the opening day with a 4-under 68. Playing in front of a home crowd, Corpuz remains in contention, sitting just three shots back of Kim.
The technical challenge at Hoakalei centered on trajectory control as players battled shifting winds alongside the rain. Kim noted that the “back and forth” nature of the weather required a disciplined approach to putting and club selection. Her ability to avoid bogeys throughout the 18 holes proved to be the differentiator, as most other contenders dropped at least one shot during the round.
Second-round play is scheduled to begin Thursday morning, with weather forecasts suggesting a continuation of the breezy conditions typical of the Ewa Beach coast.
