A Lim Kim Holds One-Shot Lead After First Round at Hoakalei

A Lim Kim leads the LOTTE Championship field by one stroke after carding a 7-under 65 at Hoakalei Country Club.

A Lim Kim carded a bogey-free 7-under 65 on Thursday to take the first-round lead at the LPGA Tour's LOTTE Championship. Playing in rainy and breezy conditions at Hoakalei Country Club, Kim recorded birdies on holes 15, 16, and 17 before finishing her morning round with a par on the par-5 18th. The 30-year-old South Korean golfer, who previously won the 2020 U.S. Women's Open and the 2025 Tournament of Champions, currently holds a one-shot advantage.

Ina Yoon and Yu Liu sit in a tie for second place after shooting rounds of 6-under 66. Yoon reached 7 under following a birdie on the par-4 third hole—her 12th of the day—but fell back after a bogey on the sixth. Liu, representing China, secured her 66 by closing the late afternoon session with a birdie on the par-3 ninth hole.

Six players share fourth place at 5-under 67, including second-ranked Jeeno Thitikul, Polly Mack, Michelle Zhang, Auston Kim, Maja Stark, and Chanettee Wannasaen. Thitikul noted that the morning round included two weather delays due to rain. Hawaii native Allisen Corpuz opened the tournament with a 68, placing her three strokes off the lead. The field features 11 players from the Solheim Cup and precedes a month-long series of events in Asia scheduled to begin October 15 in Shanghai.