Kim Hyoju at 1 Over Par Falters "Tied 5th, 10 Shots Behind"... Cupcho "Leads by 6 Shots"

2022 Season First Major Chevron Championship Day 3: Defending Champ Tawatnanakit 2nd, Korda 3rd, Ko Jin-young 52nd

Kim Hyo-joo (right) is walking brightly smiling with her caddy at the 11th hole on the third day of the major Chevron Championship. Rancho Mirage, USA = Getty Images / Multibits Photo by Multibits

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] It is a breather for world No. 13 Kim Hyo-joo (27, Lotte).

On the 3rd (Korean time) at the Dinah Shore Tournament Course (par 72, 6,884 yards) of Mission Hills Golf Club in Rancho Mirage, California, USA, the third day of the first major of the 2022 LPGA Tour season, the Chevron Championship (total prize money $5 million), Kim lost one stroke and remained tied for 5th place (6 under par 210). Jennifer Kupcho (USA) leads (16 under par 200), defending champion Patty Tavatanakit (Thailand) is 2nd (10 under par 206), and Jessica Korda (USA) is 3rd (9 under par 207).

Starting tied for 5th place, two strokes behind the leader, Kim Hyo-joo recorded three birdies and four bogeys. She lost the birdie on the 1st hole with a bogey on the 3rd hole (both par 4). The birdie on the 9th hole (par 5) was canceled out by a bogey on the 12th hole (par 4). After bogeys on the 15th and 17th holes, she finished with a birdie on the final 18th hole (par 5), setting up for the final day. Her long drives averaged 281 yards, which stood out, but she struggled on the greens with 33 putts. She is 10 strokes behind the leader, making it difficult to claim her first win of the season and her fifth career victory.

Kim Hyo-joo earned the nickname ‘Monster’ by dominating the professional stage since her amateur days. In 2012, she collected trophies in Korea (Lotte Mart Ladies Open), Japan (Suntory), and Taiwan (Swinging Skirts). In Japan, she set remarkable records as the youngest winner ever (16 years and 332 days) and the lowest 18-hole score (61). Turning professional in October 2012, she caused a sensation by winning the Hyundai China Ladies Open in December, achieving the shortest time to victory (2 months and 11 days).

Jennifer Kupcho cheers after making a birdie on the 11th hole on the third day of the Major Chevron Championship. Rancho Mirage, USA = Getty Images / Multivitz

In September 2014, she earned a ‘direct ticket to the LPGA Tour’ by winning the major Evian Championship. The following year, she moved to the LPGA Tour, winning the Founders Cup in March, the Bahamas Classic in January 2016, and the HSBC Women’s World Championship in May last year. This year, her best result is a tie for 6th place at the Honda LPGA Thailand last month. Kupcho surged with an 8-under-par round, leading by 6 strokes. Although she debuted in 2019, she has yet to win a tournament. Her world ranking is 53rd.

Tavatanakit added 2 under par to keep her hopes for a consecutive win alive. Korda dropped 5 strokes but returned to the top ranks after a long time. Brooke Henderson (Canada) also shot 5 under par to jump to a tie for 5th place. ‘Honda Champ’ Nana Matsen (Denmark) and 2014 champion Lexi Thompson (USA) joined the group tied for 5th. ‘Gainbridge Champ’ Lydia Ko (New Zealand) and ‘JTBC Classic Champ’ Atthaya Thitikul (Thailand) are tied for 11th place (5 under par 211).

Kim Sei-young is teeing off at the 12th hole on the third day of the Chevron Championship major. Rancho Mirage, USA = Getty Images / Multibits

Hinako Shibuno (Japan), who was the leader the previous day, struggled with 5 over par and dropped to a tie for 21st place (4 under par 212). From Korea, world No. 8 Kim Sei-young (29, Mediheal) lost 2 strokes and slipped to a tie for 11th place. On the other hand, 2013 champion Park In-bee (34, KB Financial Group) shot 2 under par to rise to a tie for 37th place (2 under par 214). No. 1 Ko Jin-young (27) made one birdie but three bogeys, finishing tied for 52nd place (even par 216).