Kim Hyoju Unstoppable in Pursuit of Third Straight Win... Electrifies With 4-Under Performance

Tied for Fourth, One Shot Behind After First Round of Aramco Championship
Yamashita and Hataoka Share the Lead
Korda Tied for Fourth, Yoon Ina Tied for Eleventh

World No. 3 Kim Hyoju is on a dominant streak.

On April 2 (local time), Kim recorded five birdies and one bogey during the first round of the LPGA Tour Aramco Championship (total prize money: $4 million) held at Shadow Creek Golf Course (par 72, 6,765 yards) in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. With a 4-under-par 68, Kim finished the round tied for fourth place. Miyu Yamashita and Nasa Hataoka (both from Japan), along with Lauren Coughlin (USA), took the joint lead with a 5-under-par 67, while Nelly Korda (USA) also joined the group tied for fourth place.

Kim Hyoju is teeing off at the 13th hole during the first round of the Aramco Championship. Las Vegas=AP Yonhap News Agency

Kim Hyoju has been playing at a phenomenal level recently, capturing back-to-back victories at two consecutive tournaments. Two weeks ago, she fended off Korda’s challenge to win the Fortinet Founders Cup, and last week she triumphed again at the Ford Championship. If Kim claims victory at this event, she will achieve three consecutive wins as a Korean player for the first time in 13 years, since Park Inbee in 2013.

Kim started off shakily with a bogey on her opening hole, the 10th (par 5), but quickly turned things around with consecutive birdies on the 11th and 12th holes. She then added three more birdies on the 18th, 3rd, and 5th holes. She stands just one shot behind the leaders. Following her win at last week’s Ford Championship, Kim is in position to secure her third victory of the season and the 10th of her career.

Nelly Korda, who finished runner-up for the past two weeks, edged into a tie for fourth place, setting the stage for another fierce competition. Yoon Ina, who recorded her best career LPGA Tour finish (6th place) at last week’s Ford Championship, shot a 2-under-par 70 to tie for 11th.

Ko Jin-young, competing for the first time since getting married early last month, finished tied for 15th (1-under-par 71) alongside Kim A-lim, while Kim Se-young and Lim Jin-hee ended the round tied for 27th (even-par 72) together with world No. 1 Atthaya Thitikul (Thailand).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.