7-Under Par in Round 1 of the HGV Tournament of Champions
Sponsorship Deal with Global Cosmetic Brand Mediheal Before the Event
Ko Jin-young in 2nd, Korda 14th, Lydia Ko 28th
Kim Arim was in high spirits wearing a new hat.
Kim A-rim is teeing off at the 12th hole in the first round of the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions. Orlando=AFP·Yonhap News
On the 30th (local time), at the Lake Nona Golf & Country Club (par 72, 6,624 yards) in Orlando, Florida, USA, Kim Arim shot a 7-under-par 65 in the first round of the LPGA Tour Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions (total prize money $2 million), taking the top spot on the leaderboard.
Kim Arim collected seven birdies without a single bogey. Her shot accuracy stood out, missing the fairway and green only twice each. Her average driving distance was 267 yards, and she had 27 putts during the round. Leading by four strokes, she is poised for her third career win since her victory at the Lotte Championship last November.
Before the tournament, Kim Arim signed a sponsorship deal with the global cosmetic brand Mediheal. She is a player with three career wins on the Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour. After a surprise victory at the 2020 U.S. Women's Open as a non-member, she joined the LPGA Tour the following year. Right after the first round, Kim Arim exclaimed, "Everything was good, including my shots and putting."
Ko Jin-young made three birdies and is tied for second place (3-under-par 69) along with Patty Tavatanakit. Yoo Hae-ran is tied for fourth place (2-under-par 70), Nelly Korda (USA) is tied for 14th (1-under-par 71), and Yang Hee-young, Kim Hyo-joo, and Minjee Lee (Australia) are tied for 17th (even par 72). Defending champion Lydia Ko is tied for 28th place (1-over-par 73). This tournament is a 'champion of champions' event, featuring only 32 players who were last year's winners and top performers on the tour.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
