ORLANDO, Fla. – A Lim Kim maintained a three-shot lead over Linn Grant on Saturday within the LPGA Tour’s season-opening Hilton Grand Holidays Event of Champions, with every capturing 5-under 67 within the last group at Lake Nona.
Making an attempt to finish a wire-to-wire victory for her third LPGA Tour title, Kim holed out from greenside bunkers for eagle on the par-5 ninth and birdie on the par-4 14th. The 29-year-old South Korean participant additionally birdied the par-4 18th to get to 15-under 201.
Kim has a field-best 81 putts in three rounds. She gained the 2020 U.S. Girls’s Open and 2024 LOTTE Championship and was three victories on the Korean tour.
“My objective, my beginning objective at all times my job, not end result,” Kim stated. “So, I actually concentrate on my put together, course of, after which, simply hit it. That’s all. So my place, I don’t care. That’s not vital for me.”
Grant gained the 2023 Dana Open for her lone LPGA Tour title. The 25-year-old Swede additionally closed with a birdie.
“Actually making an attempt to determine the place I’m at, all of the modifications I’ve executed, how that feels, and actually simply making an attempt to get each shot nearly as good as potential,” Grant stated. “I believe that mindset is nice to have any week. It’s simply simpler now than in the midst of the season.”
Defending champion Lydia Lo and top-ranked Nelly Korda have been tied for third, 4 strokes behind Kim. Ko had a 65 for the perfect spherical of the day, and Korda shot 67.
“Every part has been fairly stable,” Ko stated. “Even the primary day I hit the ball first rate. Actually struggled on the greens. I believe that a part of my recreation has improved probably the most the previous couple days. Golf is unusual.”
Lauren Coughlin was fifth at 8 below after a 68.
Former NHL participant Joe Pavelski topped the superstar area with 109 factors below a Modified Stableford Scoring system. Former tennis participant Mardy Fish and actor Jack Wagner have been tied for second. Asterisk Talley led the newbie area with 109 factors.
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AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf
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