Hyo Joo Kim surges to a three-stroke lead at Lotte Championship

Hyo Joo Kim took a three-stroke lead Thursday at the LPGA Tour’s Lotte Championship, finishing the second round five under par at 67.

She finished with birdies on the 13th, 16th and 18th holes to reach 10 under par for the tournament during a bogey-free round at Hoakalei Country Club. It’s the first time the country club has hosted the event.

“First of all, I’m satisfied,” said Kim, who is currently ranked 13th in the world. “I played the same score and bogey-free round as yesterday, but more satisfied with today’s play than yesterday.”

Having played in every Lotte Championship since its inception in 2012, her best finish has been tied for fourth in 2014 and 2015.

After back-to-back 67s, Hyo Joo Kim holds the solo lead heading into moving day 🔥

FULL LEADERBOARD ⬇️ https://t.co/uy2gylQahy

— LPGA (@LPGA) April 15, 2022

She sits ahead of Australia’s Sarah Kemp, who shot a 69.

“Really solid. Lots of fairways, greens,” Kemp said. “I had a chip-in. Rolled it really well. It was just steady. I hit one fairway bunker short, but just overall really steady.”

Tied for third at four strokes back are Ariya Jutanugarn and Haeji Kang. A Lim Kim sits five under alongside Na Rin An.

First-round leader Hannah Green shot a 76 to fall eight strokes back of the lead. Defending champion Lydia Ko hit seven bogeys in the second round alongside four birdies to fall to 10 strokes back of the leader.

Two-time champion Brooke Henderson, who shot a 74 in the first round, had to withdraw due to an illness prior to the start of the second round.