UA Lim Kim of South Korea shot a 4-under 68 on Saturday to win the LOTTE Championship in Ewa Beach, Hawaii.
Kim entered the fourth and final round of the tournament with a one-stroke lead and held off Russia’s Natalia Guseva by two shots. Guseva carded a 3-under 69 on Saturday to reach Kim’s 18-under 270 at Hoakalei Country Club.
It marks the second LPGA Tour title for Kim, who racked up 25 birdies to go along with an ace at the LOTTE. Kim also won the US Women’s Open in 2020.
“I think Hawaii is very convenient for me, it’s comfortable, and when … I get to the site, everything is new and the grass and reading is very difficult for me,” said Kim. “But to get better from now on, it’s very easy.”
Bogeys on the par-4 second and par-3 ninth on Saturday finally called for Guseva. He had five birdies, including two on Nos. 11 and 13, but could not become the first Russian golfer to win on the LPGA Tour.
“Obviously I congratulate A Lim for a great game. I did my best there. I didn’t give up. Every hole I gave 100 percent and more,” said Guseva. “I enjoyed it out there. I enjoy playing golf. I enjoy the crowd.”
Auston Kim birdied four of the first six holes before slowing down, recording just one birdie during the bogey round. He shared the honors with Japan’s Nasa Hataoka, who also posted a 5-under 67.
Auston Kim moved into third place, three strokes behind A Lim Kim, while Hataoka moved into fourth place, four shots off the lead.
“It was very difficult on the back. I started to get very hot. I made a lot of good shots and very good putters on the front nine. The putter got a little cold after the ninth hole,” said Auston Kim. “I just said to myself, ‘Like you’re hitting really good shots. You’re visualizing when you’re feeling really good. Just keep giving yourself chances.’
Ryann O’Toole (70) and Japan’s Yuri Yoshida (69) tied for fifth.
Jin Young Ko (70) from South Korea came in seventh place, Lindy Duncan (68) was in eighth place and South Korea’s Hyo Joo Kim (69) and Angel Yin (69) were T9.
–Field Level Media
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