Friday, 15 Apr 2022. 23:32
Hyo Joo Kim recorded two late birdies and held a three-stroke lead atop the Lotte Championship on the LPGA Tour on Friday.
Kim posted a 72 card (tied with par) and is under-10 overall with only one round left.
The South Korean bogeyed on the seventh and 12th holes of the Hoakalei Golf Club course, but pulled herself together with a birdie on the 14th and 18th flags.
Kim nearly eagled on the 18th hole, when her bunker exit just missed the bottom of the cup.
American Brianna Do (67) and Japan’s Hinako Shibuno (68) tied for second at 7 under. Do rose through the ranks thanks to a birdie on his first three holes of the day.
South Korea’s Somi Lee and Northern Ireland’s Stephanie Meadow both shot 69 and are tied for fourth at 6 under.
Quebecer Maude-Aimée was not part of this round; she failed to qualify for the final rounds with her plus-4 card following two rounds.
For her part, the Canadian Brooke Henderson withdrew from the tournament following the second round due to the flu.
