Kim Hyo-joo (31, Lotte) made a strong start in her bid for a third consecutive LPGA Tour victory.
Kim shot a 4-under-par 68 with five birdies and one bogey in the first round of the LPGA Tour Aramco Championship (total purse $4 million) at Shadow Creek Golf Course (par 72) in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Saturday (Korea time). As of 9:30 a.m., she is tied for fourth, one stroke behind the co-leaders at 5-under-par 67.
Kim has been riding a wave of momentum after winning the Fortinet Founders Cup and the Ford Championship in back-to-back weeks. She currently leads all three major LPGA Tour categories: Player of the Year points (69), CME Globe points (1,268) and prize money ($939,640).
Both victories came after head-to-head battles with American star Nelly Korda, leaving a strong impression. Kim, who has risen to a career-high world ranking of third, is now targeting a third straight LPGA Tour win — a feat no Korean player has achieved since Park In-bee in 2013. A victory this week would also give Kim her 10th career LPGA Tour title.
Starting on the 10th hole (par 4), Kim bogeyed her opening hole but quickly turned things around with consecutive birdies on the 11th and 12th holes. She built further momentum with a birdie run through the middle of her round on the 18th hole (par 5), third hole (par 4) and fifth hole (par 3). Kim missed three fairways and six greens and recorded 26 putts.
"I honestly don't know what specifically went well today, but I think this was the best I've played on this course," Kim said after the first round. "I think it's because I'm riding a good rhythm."
"Many people have been telling me ahead of this tournament to win three weeks in a row, but I'm just trying to do my best as I always do — nothing more," she added.
Among players who completed their rounds, Miyuu Yamashita of Japan and two others formed the leading group at 5-under. Ko Jin-young, competing in her first event since getting married earlier last month, finished the first round at 1-under-par 71, placing inside the top 10.