Arim Kim's Excitement... Leading by One Stroke Margin

4 Under Par in HSBC Women's World Championship Round 1
Hull in 2nd Place, Choi Hyejin and Minjee Lee Tied for 3rd in Pursuit
Yang Heeyoung, Lydia Ko, and Gino Titikun Share 7th Place

Kim Arim laid the foundation for her second win of the season.

Kim A-rim is making an approach shot in the first round of the HSBC Women's World Championship. Sentosa=AFP·Yonhap News

On the 27th, at the Tanjong Course (par 72, 6,779 yards) of Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore, Kim shot a 4-under-par 68 in the first round of the LPGA Tour's 'Asian Swing' HSBC Women's World Championship (total prize money $2.4 million) to take the lead. Charley Hull (England) is chasing in second place, one stroke behind at 3-under-par 69. A total of 66 players are competing in this tournament, which will be played over four rounds without a cut.

Kim Arim made five birdies and one bogey. She reduced two strokes in the front nine with birdies on holes 6 and 8. In the back nine, she continued her momentum with consecutive birdies on holes 12 and 13, followed by another birdie on the par-3 15th hole. However, a bogey on the par-5 16th hole was a blemish. Her tee shots were notably accurate, missing the fairway only once. She recorded 31 putts.

Kim Arim has had a strong start to the season. She secured her second career win at the season opener, the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, on the 2nd, and finished 6th last week at the Honda LPGA Thailand. Today, she demonstrated her ability to surge, continuing her steep upward trajectory for the third consecutive tournament. She currently ranks first in prize money and Player of the Year standings, second in the CME Globe Race, and third in scoring average.

Choi Hyejin and Minjee Lee (Australia), among others, are tied for third place at 2-under-par 70. Yang Heeyoung, Lydia Ko (New Zealand), and Gino Titikun (Thailand) share seventh place at 1-under-par 71. Lim Jinhee and Founders Cup winner No Yerim (USA) are tied for 14th at even par 72. Past champions Go Jinyoung (2022 and 2023) and Kim Hyoju (2021) are tied for 20th at 1-over-par 73. Last year's winner Hannah Green (Australia) is tied for 38th at 3-over-par 75, and Honda LPGA Thailand winner Angel Yin (USA) is tied for 46th at 4-over-par 76.