Top Contenders in the First Round of the Second Major, US Women's Open
Jinhee Lim, Rio Takeda, Yealimi Noh Also Shoot Four Under
Jeon Jiwan Starts at Two Under, Nelly Korda Opens at Even Par
Arim Kim has secured a chance to win the US Women's Open for the first time in five years.
On May 29 (local time), in the first round of the 2025 season's second major tournament, the US Women's Open (total prize money of $12 million), held at Erin Hills (par 72, 6,829 yards) in Erin, Wisconsin, USA, she carded a 4-under-par 68 to place herself among the leaders. Jinhee Lim, Rio Takeda (Japan), Yealimi Noh, and Angel Yin (all USA) also finished at 4-under-par.
Arim Kim is making a chip shot on the 18th hole of the first round of the US Women's Open. Erin, USA - UPI Yonhap News Photo by Erin
Starting on the 10th hole, Arim Kim recorded six birdies and two bogeys. After back-to-back birdies on holes 10 and 11, she took a brief pause with a bogey on the 12th hole (par 4). She then closed out the front nine with consecutive birdies on holes 16 and 17. In the back nine, she picked up additional birdies on holes 1 and 3. However, it was disappointing that she made a bogey on the 6th hole (par 3). Her iron shots stood out as she missed only three greens. She took 29 putts during the round.
Arim Kim is the player who stunned the world by winning the US Women's Open in 2020. After claiming three victories on the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour, she moved to the United States immediately after her US Women's Open win. In November last year, she captured a wire-to-wire victory at the Lotte Championship in Hawaii, and in February this year, she secured her third career win at the season-opening Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions.
Arim Kim has been in good form this year. In nine tournaments, she has recorded one win and four top-10 finishes. She finished sixth at the Honda LPGA Thailand, tied for seventh at the HSBC Women's World Championship, and tied for ninth at the T-Mobile Match Play. Among Korean players, Jeon Jiwan finished with a 2-under-par 70, and Choi Hyejin shot a 1-under-par 71. World No. 1 Nelly Korda (USA) traded one birdie and one bogey to finish at even-par 72.
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