A Lim Kim leads LPGA tournament in Singapore by a stroke over Charley Hull after the first round

By Canadian Press on February 27, 2025.

SINGAPORE (AP) — A Lim Kim tamed swirling winds to shoot a 4-under 68 on Thursday to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the LPGA’s HSBC Women’s World Championship.

The South Korean had five birdies but bogeyed the par-5 16th in tough windy conditions on the Tanjong course at Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore.

Charley Hull of England was in second place after a 69, followed by four players tied for third with 70s, including China’s Ruoning Yin and Minjee Lee of Australia.

World No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand and No. 3 Lydia Ko of New Zealand, the two highest-ranked players in the field, each shot 71.

“Today a lot of winds, and that’s very hard for me, but everybody has the same situation,” A Lim Kim said. “Tomorrow, I’m going to work harder.”

Jin Young Ko, who will try to become the first three-time winner of the Singapore event, opened with a 73 and Brooke Henderson shot 74.

Defending champion Hannah Green shot 75. Angel Yin, who won the LPGA Thailand event last week, had a 76.

The Singapore field features nine of the top 10 players in the women’s world ranking — and 13 of the top 15 — minus only top-ranked Nelly Korda and Rose Zhang.

The final event of the LPGA’s three-tournament early Asian Swing this year will be played next week at Hainan Island, China.

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The Associated Press