A Lim Kim Led LOTTE Championship Opening Round
A Lim Kim shot a 7-under 65 at Hoakalei Country Club to take the early lead in Honolulu.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Golf
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A Lim Kim surged to the top of the leaderboard at the LOTTE Championship in Honolulu after firing a 7-under 65 during the first round. She holds a one-stroke lead over competitors Ina Yoon and Yu Liu, who both finished the opening round at 66.
Why it matters
The performance highlights a strong start for Kim, who is looking to maintain her momentum on the LPGA Tour. Her opening round positions her as the player to beat as the tournament continues at Hoakalei Country Club.
A Lim Kim carded a 7-under 65 in the opening round, punctuated by birdies on holes 15, 16, and 17. Following her, six golfers including Jeeno Thitikul and Maja Stark shot 67, while Allisen Corpuz recorded a 68.
The players
A Lim Kim
She is a professional golfer with three total LPGA Tour victories including the 2020 U.S. Women's Open and the 2025 Tournament of Champions.
Ina Yoon
She is a professional golfer who finished the first round with a 66.
Yu Liu
She is a professional golfer who sits one stroke off the lead after an opening round score of 66.
The details
Kim secured her position at the top of the leaderboard through a strong finish, birdying three consecutive holes late in her round. Meanwhile, Ina Yoon tracked closely behind her, despite a bogey on her 15th hole that was offset by a birdie on her 12th.
Timeline
The first round of the LOTTE Championship took place on October 1, 2026.
The Buick LPGA Shanghai tournament is scheduled to begin on October 15-18, 2026.
Season Trajectory
Kim's strong start suggests she remains a dominant force on the tour, reinforcing her previous victories at the 2024 LOTTE Championship and the 2025 Tournament of Champions. This performance impacts the leaderboard early, forcing other top-tier players to chase her lead.
Kim's 65-stroke opening round establishes a clear benchmark for the rest of the field as they head into the second day of play. Players looking to close the gap must now navigate the Hoakalei Country Club course with increased precision to challenge her current 7-under standing.
The takeaway
Golfers often find that building a lead early in a tournament provides the necessary cushion for tighter final rounds. Spectators can continue to monitor how the rest of the competitive field adjusts their approach to match Kim's current pace.
Further reading
For more on the current field and tournament standings, visit Golf.
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