Kim Hyoju's Strength "Tied 11th, 6 Strokes Behind"... Oh Suhyun and Hataoka 'Co-Leaders After Two Days'

Honda LPGA Thailand Day 2: Boutier and Masen Tied 2nd, Henderson Tied 6th, Minjee Lee Tied 8th, Jeongeun Lee6 Tied 11th

Kim Hyo-joo is teeing off on the 2nd hole on the second day of the Honda LPGA Thailand. Pattaya (Thailand) = Getty Images / Multibits

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] It is the leap of Kim Hyo-joo (27, Lotte).

On the 11th (Korean time), at the Siam Country Club Pattaya Old Course (par 72, 6,576 yards) in Chonburi, Thailand, during the second day of the 5th event of the 2022 LPGA Tour season, the Honda LPGA Thailand (total prize money $1.6 million), Kim surged with a 7-under-par round to climb to a tie for 11th place (10-under-par 134). Su-Hyun Oh (Australia) and Nasa Hataoka (Japan) share the lead (16-under-par 128), while C?line Boutier (France) and Nanna Koerstz Madsen (Denmark) are tied for 3rd place (15-under-par 129).

Starting from a tie for 34th place, 6 strokes behind, Kim Hyo-joo delivered a flawless performance with 1 eagle and 5 birdies. She sparked momentum with a birdie on the first hole she played, the 10th hole (par 5), followed by 4 consecutive birdies from holes 15 to 18. After parring the next 6 holes, she secured an eagle on the 7th hole (par 5). Her long drives averaged 285 yards, and her putting was outstanding with only 25 putts for the round. She trails the leader by 6 strokes and has a chance to claim her 5th career win, her first since the HSBC Women's event last May, 10 months ago.

Oh Su-hyun is teeing off at the 1st hole on the second day of the Honda LPGA Thailand. Pattaya (Thailand) = Getty Images / Photo by Multibits

"I'm very proud to have two consecutive rounds without a bogey," said Kim Hyo-joo. "My putting was good today, and I want to continue playing satisfactorily in the remaining 3 to 4 rounds." Su-Hyun Oh and Nasa Hataoka both posted 7-under-par rounds, maintaining their positions at the top of the leaderboard for the second day in a row. Boutier and Madsen each reduced their scores by 8 strokes, entering the race for the championship. Brooke Henderson (Canada) is tied for 6th place (12-under-par 132), and Minjee Lee (Australia) is tied for 8th place (11-under-par 133).

Daniel Kang (USA) is tied for 15th place (9-under-par 135), while 19-year-old Atthaya Thitikul and Patty Tavatanakit (both Thailand) are tied for 30th place (7-under-par 137) on their home course. Defending champion Ariya Jutanugarn (Thailand) fought hard with a 6-under-par round but finished tied for 48th place (4-under-par 140). From Korea, Jeongeun Lee6 (26, Daebang Construction) is tied for 11th place, and three-time champion of this event Hee-young Yang (33, Woori Financial Group) and So-yeon Ryu (32, Mediheal) are tied for 15th, eyeing the top ranks.

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