South Korea’s Kim A-lim shot an under-par 68 in the final round on Saturday to win the Lotte Championship by two strokes and record just her second career LPGA Tour title after the 2020 US Open.
Kim’s 18-under total of 270 at Hoakalei Country Club in Ewa Beach, Hawaii, consolidated her one-shot lead over Russian tour rookie Nataliya Guseva, who carded a 69 to finish at 16 under .
American Auston Kim finished third at 15 under after a final round of 67.
Starting the day at 14 under par, Kim, 29, opened the door for Guseva, who birdied the first, with a bogey five on the second – only for the Russian to also make a five on the same hole.
“To be honest, it didn’t really go well at first,” a relieved Kim told reporters after celebrating the victory.
“I just told myself I was going to do what I set out to do. I just trusted myself.”
It worked as Kim then made a series of three birdies in four holes.
“After my bogey (at the second), I started to concentrate very well and my mind was sharp so I started to play even better,” said the winner.
A three-putt at the eighth brought her back into a tie with the 21-year-old Russian at 15 under.
But Guseva made bogey at the par-three ninth as Kim reached the turn with a one-shot lead, where she remained until a final birdie at the 18th sealed the title.
A beaming Kim was clearly enjoying her week, which included a hole-in-one at the ninth during Friday’s third round, only her second ace.
“It was super fun,” Kim said. “On the course, I feel like it was more fun. I haven’t felt that in a long time.”
Guseva, 21, who attended a qualifying school to access the elite women’s tour, was trying to become the first Russian winner in LPGA Tour history.
“Obviously, congratulations to A-lim for a great match,” Guseva said.
“I really did my best there. I never gave up. Every hole I gave 100 percent and more.”
bur-dh/fox
