Rookie Yuna Kim Stays in Contention for Two Days... "Chasing Her First Win"

Buick LPGA Shanghai 2nd Round: Steady at 4 Under Par
Kim Holds Second, Two Shots Behind Leader Katsu
Lee Somin and Thitikul Tied for Fifth, Kim A Lim in Eighth

Rookie golfer Yuna Kim has secured her first chance at a victory in the opening event of the fall Asian Swing.

On October 10, at the Qizhong Garden Golf Club (par 72, 6,703 yards) in Shanghai, China, during the second round of the Buick LPGA Shanghai on the LPGA Tour (total prize money: 2.2 million dollars), Kim carded a 4-under-par 68, recording five birdies and one bogey. After shooting a 7-under-par 65 in the first round, which put her in a tie for second place just one stroke behind the leader, she finished the two days with an 11-under-par 133, placing her in second. She is two shots behind the leader, Minami Katsu of Japan, who stands at 13-under-par 131.

Yuna Kim took second place in the second round of the Buick LPGA Shanghai. Yonhap News

Last year, Yuna Kim swept the Player of the Year, Money Leader, and Lowest Stroke Average awards on the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour, and made her LPGA Tour debut this year after advancing through the Qualifying Series. She has yet to deliver results that meet expectations. This season, she has played in 21 tournaments and made the cut 13 times. Her best finish so far was a tie for 14th at the US Women's Open in May, a major tournament. In this event, she has remained in contention for the lead for two consecutive days and is aiming for her first win.

Minami Katsu surged to the top of the leaderboard with an 11-under-par 61. Debuting on the LPGA Tour in 2023, she has yet to claim a victory. On this day, she set new records for the lowest 18-hole and 36-hole scores in the tournament. Lee Somin, Atthaya Thitikul of Thailand, and others are tied for fifth at 9-under-par 135, while Kim A Lim and Minjee Lee of Australia are tied for eighth at 8-under-par 136.

Lim Jinhui is tied for 12th at 7-under-par 137, while Choi Hyejin, Kim Seyoung, and Shin Jieun are tied for 15th at 6-under-par 138. Defending champion Yin Ruoning of China made the turn tied for 22nd at 5-under-par 139. Danielle Kang is in 80th place at 8-over-par 152, and Angel Yin, also of the United States, is 81st at 9-over-par 153, both struggling in the tournament.