Kim Hyoju "Starting Bid for Consecutive Wins at Lotte Championship"

by Kim Heungsoon

Published 13 Apr.2023 10:36(KST)

Finished Round 1 Tied for 1st Place

Kim Hyo-joo has kicked off her bid for a second consecutive victory at the LPGA Tour Lotte Championship (total prize money $2 million).

Kim Hyo-joo is teeing off at the 13th hole during the 2023 Lotte Championship Pro-Am, part of the LPGA Tour, held at Hoakalei Country Club on Oahu Island, Hawaii, USA.
[Photo by Daehong Communications]

On the first day of the tournament, the first round held on the 13th at Hoakalei Country Club (par 72, 6,303 yards) in Ewa Beach, Oahu Island, Hawaii, Kim Hyo-joo shot 4-under-par 68 with eight birdies and four bogeys. She is currently tied for first place with Nasa Hataoka (Japan) and Bailey Tardy (USA). Since some players are still on the course, the rankings may change after the first round concludes.

She entered the tournament as the defending champion. Last year’s victory marked her fifth career win on the tour. Among other Korean players, rookie Yu Hae-ran and Park Geum-gang both shot 2-under-par 70, tying for seventh place. Park Sung-hyun finished the first round at 1-under-par 71, tied for 18th place.