With Lim Kim still in front, the French are in the game

Already in the lead during the first two rounds, South Korean A Lim Kim, who scored a hole in one, took back solo control of the LOTTE Championship at the end of the “Moving Day”. Perrine Delacour and Pauline Roussin-Bouchard are in the top 20 but they will need a big last lap to get a nice reward…

When everything smiles at you… A Lim Kim did not have a great 2024 season on the LPGAbut this week in Honolulu seems to be his. Alone in the lead after the first round, then leader with three other players halfway through, she took back solo control at the end of the third round. And as a bonus, the South Korean scored a hole in one, on number 9, a 128 meter par 3 which she tamed with a 9 iron…

This is the second career hole-in-one signed by the former winner of theUS Openthe second in LOTTE Championship 2024 after that of Jennifer Song on the 15 during the first round

Find the complete leaderboard

Despite this small feat, A Lim Kim temporarily gave up the lead on the return to the Russian Nataliya Gusevabut she ended up overtaking it by making two birdies on her last two holes. “I feel comfortable this week, but I have to say that this hole in one is due to luck”Kim said modestly.

She is therefore ahead of Guseva by one stroke. The American Ryann O’Toole is third by three shots.

The Blues will have to let go

The French women are not far from the top 10, but they will have to succeed in a big last lap to get a place earning big points.

Perrine Delacour can save his card provided he achieves a similar performance in his first turn (67). This Friday (the tournament takes place from Wednesday to Saturday), she signed a solid 71, with two birdies and a bogey. But it is insufficient, for the moment. Her projected ranking on the LPGA Order of Merit is 107th. Only the first 100 retain full playing rights for 2025.

As for Pauline Roussin-Bouchardshe continues to gain places after her bad first round: her bogey-free 69 propels her into the top 20. But the 4th best player in the Ladies European Tour this season aims better in Hawaii. The top 5 is five shots away. His ability shone in the last rounds can serve him…

Le leaderboard

Photo : Maddie Meyer / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP