Kim A-lim, who lifted the trophy in Hawaii two years ago, is chasing a repeat.
Kim carded seven birdies and no bogeys in the first round of the LPGA Tour's Hawaii Championship, played on the 2nd at the par-72 Hoakalei Country Club in Ewa Beach, Hawaii. The tournament carries a total purse of $3 million. Her seven-under 65 left her alone in the lead, one stroke ahead of Yoon Ina and Liu Yu of China, who were tied for second at six under.
Kim, a three-time winner on the LPGA Tour, claimed her second career title at this event in 2024. Her most recent victory came at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions in January last year. She has played 18 tournaments this season with six top-10 finishes, her best being a runner-up showing at the AIG Women's Open in July, the final major of the season.
Kim attacked the course with drives averaging 280 yards. She missed just two greens and needed only 27 putts, with her driver, irons and putting all clicking.
She opened with a birdie at the par-five first hole and picked up three shots on the front nine. On the back nine, she birdied the par-four 13th and then ran off three straight birdies from the 15th through the 17th.
"The wind here makes trajectory control and putting critical," Kim said afterward. "It rained today too, so conditions were tough, but I managed my round well."
Yoon shot a six-under 66 with seven birdies and one bogey, putting herself in position to chase a first LPGA Tour victory. Her best result this season was a second-place finish at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship in August.
Neither Kim nor Yoon can relax yet. Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand, ranked second in the world, sits at five under in a tie for fourth, setting up a tight three-day battle for the title.
Ko Jin-young was four under in a tie for 10th, while Kim Hyo-joo and Lee So-mi, each with two LPGA Tour wins this season, were two under in a tie for 36th. Lydia Ko of New Zealand, who would pass Annika Sorenstam of Sweden for the top spot on the career money list with a finish of second or better this week, was one under in a tie for 49th. Defending champion Hwang Yu-min labored to an even-par round and a tie for 74th.
