beat Korda...Kim Arim Wins LPGA Opener
beat Korda...Kim Arim Wins LPGA Opener
Blog Article
Kim A-rim (30, Medihill) shook off the pursuit of world No. 1 Nelly Korda (27, USA) and won the "Wire to Wire" title in the opening round of the LPGA Tour.
Kim A-rim shot a 5-under 67 in the fourth round of the 2025 LPGA Tour Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions (total prize money of $2 million) at Lake Nona Golf Country Club (par 72, 6,624 yards) in Orlando, Florida on the 3rd (Korea time) to post a 20-under 268 total and beat Korda by two strokes to win the trophy.
Kim A-rim, who first won the major U.S. Women's Open in December 2020, achieved three wins in three months after winning the Lotte Championship in November last year. It is the sixth time in six years and the sixth time in history that a Korean player has won the LPGA Tour opener since Ji Eun-hee (Diamond Resort Tournament of Champions) in 2019. Starting with Pak Se-ri (Your Life Vitamins Classic) in 2001, Shin Ji-ae (ISPS Handa Australian Women's Open) in 2013, Choi Na-yeon (Coates Golf Championship) in 2015, and Kim Hyo-joo (Pure Silk Bahamas Classic) in 2016 were honored as opening champions.
Last year, South Korean players performed poorly with only three wins, but Kim Arim's victory in the season opener raised the possibility of a revival.
Kim A-rim, who took the lead from the first round and reached the final round by three strokes, briefly allowed Korda's birdie show to tie for first place, but did not lose her coolness and ran back to the lead to secure the championship.
Kim was caught up by Korda, who played in the previous group, as she made a birdie at the 15th hole (par 5), but did not panic and immediately responded with a birdie at the same hole, regaining her No. 1 ranking. She then garnered birdies with a mid-range putt of more than 5 meters at the 16th hole (par 4), and managed to escape by two strokes. When Korda, who had a long-distance birdie at the 18th hole (par 4), followed her by one stroke, Kim also responded with a mid-range birdie at the same hole, tying the game. 스포츠토토
"I watched Korda's scoreboard, but I enjoyed it and tried to concentrate on my game," Kim said. "Even when I tied for the lead, I thought I would have an advantage with one more hole to go than worrying about the upset." Despite Korda's birdie on the 18th hole, Kim did not hide her aggressive tendencies, saying, "I thought I should make a birdie, too." She said, "My putt got better than last year, but I think I have to wait and see as it is my first competition this year."
Notably, she thanked Yang Hee-young (Kium Securities Co., Ltd.) for being a 30-minute away from the venue and practicing together, saying, "She is my hero, and I've watched her play a lot since I was young. She always helps me a lot."
Ko Jin-young (aged 30, Solaire) tied for fourth with Lee Min-ji (aged 29, Hana Financial Group) of Australia with 14-under 274, while Lydia Ko (aged 28, Hana Financial Group), the winner of last year's championship, tied for sixth with 13-under 275. Kim Hyo-joo (aged 30, Lotte) is tied for 10th (8-under 280), and Yang Hee-young is tied for 22nd (1-under 287).