'Dakgong' Kim Arim "8-Under Par Storm Shots"... Ji Eunhee Tied for Lead

Walmart NW Arkansas Championship Day 1: Choi Woon-jung Tied 10th at 8 Under Par, Ko Jin-young Tied 29th Falters

Kim A-rim is making an approach shot on the 9th hole on the first day of the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship. Rogers, USA = Getty Images / Multibits

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] ‘Dakgong’.

It is a stormy shot by Kim Arim (26). On the 25th (Korean time), at the Rogers Pinnacle Golf Course in Rogers, Arkansas, USA (par 71, 6,438 yards), the first day of the LPGA Tour Walmart NW Arkansas Championship (total prize money $2.3 million) opened, and she surged 8 under par to instantly dominate the top of the leaderboard. Ji Eun-hee (35) and Katherine Kirk (Australia) joined the co-lead, and Sarah Burnham (USA) is following closely in a tie for 4th place, one stroke behind (7 under par, 64 strokes).

Kim Arim made big news with a surprise victory at the US Women’s Open (total prize money $5.5 million), known as the ‘national title of the United States,’ last December. Riding on the ‘LPGA direct ticket,’ she immediately moved to the US and is gradually adapting with two top 10 finishes in 17 events this season. On this day, she showed a ‘perfect play’ with one eagle and six birdies. Her 288-yard long drive and 94.44% green hit rate with ‘piercing iron shots’ demonstrated great power.

Korea’s Ji Eun-hee swept up eight birdies. Choi Woon-jung (31, Volvik), Jeon In-ji (27, KB Financial Group), and Kang Hye-ji (35) are tied for 10th place (5 under par, 66 strokes), and Shin Ji-eun (29) is tied for 16th place (4 under par, 67 strokes) in the chase. World No. 2 Ko Jin-young (26) faces a tough challenge in her ‘bid for a second consecutive win,’ remaining tied for 29th place at 3 under par. Defending champion Austin Ernst (USA) is in this group. Lee Jeong-eun 6 (25, Daebang Construction), Park Sung-hyun (28), and Yoo So-yeon (31, Mediheal) are tied for 44th place (2 under par, 69 strokes).