Kim Hyo-joo, who is enjoying a second peak this season, will chase her 10th career title on the LPGA Tour in Scotland, the "home of golf."
Kim will compete in the ISPS Handa Women's Scottish Open (total prize money of 2 million dollars), held over four days from the 23rd at Dundonald Links (par 72) in North Ayrshire, Scotland. The tournament serves as a warm-up ahead of the AIG Women's Open, the final major of the women's golf season, next week.
Kim has performed well at this event in the past. She has never won, but finished runner-up twice. Last year, she placed second, three strokes behind newcomer Lottie Woad of England, and in 2023, she finished sole second, two strokes behind Celine Boutier of France. In the 2022 tournament, she tied for third.
Kim has maintained her sharp shot-making, winning two LPGA Tour titles and two Korea Ladies Professional Golf (KLPGA) Tour titles this season. Her chances of winning this tournament are greater than ever. If Kim wins, she will reach 10 career LPGA Tour victories.
The competition for the title is fierce. World No. 1 Nelly Korda of the United States will compete in the tournament after an unexpectedly long break following her missed cut at the Evian Championship two weeks ago. Korda, who tied for fifth at last year's tournament, made no secret of her ambition to win, saying, "I want to do better this year than last year." Woad is aiming for back-to-back titles, while Japanese twin sisters Chisato Iwai and Akie Iwai, and Hannah Green of Australia will also join the fray.
Among Korean players, alongside Kim, 2017 champion Lee Mi-hyang, Yoon Ina, Kim Sei-young, Choi Hye-jin, Ko Jin-young, and Kim A-lim will compete. Yoo Hae-ran, who won her second major title at the Evian Championship, chose to rest. Kim will play the first and second rounds with Akie Iwai and Cassandra Alexander of South Africa. Woad is grouped with Korda and Charley Hull of England.
