Arim Kim Cheers at Opening Match... 'Wire to Wire' Victory

5 Under Par in the Tournament of Champions Final Round
Third Career Victory, Winner's Prize of 436 Million KRW

Kim A-lim achieved a 'wire-to-wire' victory in the opening round.

Kim A-rim is smiling after finishing the 2nd hole of the 4th round in par at the opening Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions. Orlando=AFP·Yonhap News

On the 2nd (local time), at the Lake Nona Golf & Country Club (par 72, 6,624 yards) in Orlando, Florida, USA, Kim recorded a 5-under 67 in the 4th round of the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, the first event of the 2025 LPGA Tour season with a total prize of $2 million, securing a 2-stroke victory (20-under 268). She maintained the top position on the leaderboard for four consecutive days, achieving a perfect win. This is her third career win in three months since the Lotte Championship last November, earning a winner's prize of $300,000 (approximately 436 million KRW).

This tournament is a 'champion of champions' event featuring 32 winners from the tour over the past two years. Kim started with a 3-stroke lead and combined 7 birdies and 2 bogeys. After a shaky start with a bogey on the 3rd hole (par 4), she changed the momentum with consecutive birdies on the 4th and 5th holes, and secured 'stepping stone birdies' on the 9th and 11th holes (both par 5s), preventing her competitors from catching up. Although she missed a short par putt on the 12th hole (par 4), she escaped danger with back-to-back birdies on the 15th and 16th holes. On the final 18th hole (par 4), she celebrated her victory with a birdie. Her powerful drives, averaging 287 yards, stood out.

Kim A-lim is a player who has won three times on the Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour. She was the 'long drive queen' for three consecutive years from 2018 to 2020 on the KLPGA Tour. After a surprise victory at the 2020 U.S. Women's Open as a non-member, she joined the U.S. tour the following year. She announced her win shortly after signing a main sponsorship contract with Mediheal ahead of this tournament.