Lim Kim showcased her skills at the Lotte Championship, taking the lead with a remarkable performance. Kim's hole-in-one on the par-3 ninth, followed by birdies on the final two holes, secured her a one-stroke lead over Nataliya Guseva after carding a 5-under 67.
Reflecting on her hole-in-one, Kim attributed it to a calculated approach, using a 9-iron on the 140-yard ninth hole. She modestly described the shot as 99% luck, highlighting the element of chance in golf.
Despite a setback with a bogey on the par-4 16th, Kim bounced back strongly with birdies on the par-4 17th and par-5 18th, finishing with a 14-under 202 total at the breezy Hoakalei Country Club.
Kim emphasized her focus on precision, stating that she prioritizes aligning her shot and executing it without being overly concerned about the outcome.
Currently ranked 65th in the Race to CME Globe, Kim is aiming to break into the top 60 to secure a spot in the season finale, which offers a lucrative $4 million prize to the winner. Her victory at the U.S. Women's Open in December 2020 remains her sole LPGA Tour title.
Chasing Kim is Nataliya Guseva, a 21-year-old player seeking to make history as the first Russian winner on the LPGA Tour. Guseva shot a solid 68 but struggled with a bogey on the 17th hole for the third consecutive day, expressing her excitement for the final round.
Ryann O'Toole sits in third place at 11 under after a 69, though she voiced frustration over the slow pace of play during the tournament.
In a competitive field, Jin Young Ko's 67 helped her join Auston Kim (69) and Yuri Yoshida (71) at 10 under, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to the Lotte Championship.
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