South Korean golfer Kim A-lim clinched her second LPGA Tour title with a thrilling victory at the Lotte Championship in Hawaii. Kim shot a four-under-par 68 in the final round to finish with an 18-under total of 270, securing a two-stroke win over Russian rookie Nataliya Guseva, who finished with a 16-under total after a 69 on Saturday.
A Milestone Victory for Kim A-lim
Kim’s win marks her second LPGA victory, with her first coming at the 2020 US Open. The 29-year-old started the final round with a one-shot lead over Guseva, but her round began with a bogey on the second hole, allowing Guseva to close the gap. However, Guseva also made a bogey on the same hole, and Kim bounced back with a run of three birdies in four holes to regain control.
“It didn’t really go well to be honest at the beginning,” Kim admitted after the win. “I just told myself I’m going to do what I set out to do. I just trusted myself.” Her resilience paid off as she regained her composure, especially after a three-putt at the eighth hole tied her with Guseva at 15-under. Despite this setback, Kim regained the lead with a birdie on the 18th hole to seal the victory.
Guseva’s Determination and Kim’s Resilience
The final round was a tight contest, with Guseva, who had hopes of becoming the first Russian LPGA Tour winner, staying close to Kim throughout the day. A bogey at the par-three ninth hole proved costly for Guseva, and she couldn’t catch up after that. Despite the defeat, Guseva, who is in her rookie season on the LPGA Tour, showed great determination and praised Kim’s performance: “Obviously congrats to A-lim for a great game. I really did my best out there. I never gave up. Every hole, I gave just my 100 percent and more than that.”
American Auston Kim finished in third place with a 15-under total after shooting a 67 in the final round.
Kim A-lim’s Memorable Week in Hawaii
Kim’s week also included a memorable highlight, a hole-in-one on the ninth hole during the third round, which marked only her second career ace. Reflecting on her victory, Kim shared, “It was super fun. On the course, I feel like it was more fun. I haven’t felt this way in a long time.”
Kim’s performance at the Hoakalei Country Club in Ewa Beach, Hawaii solidified her place among the LPGA’s top competitors as she continues to build on her successful career.
