Kim Back to Defend
In three starts in 2023, Hyo Joo Kim has recorded three top-10s, including a tie for third at last week’s DIO Implant LA Open. The Republic of Korea native captured her fifth career LPGA Tour title last year with a final-round 71 to reach -11 and defeat Hinako Shibuno by two strokes.
Look back at Kim’s final-round highlights at the 2022 LOTTE Championship.
Past Champions
Two other LOTTE Championship champions are in the field, in addition to defending champion Hyo Joo Kim. Brooke Henderson, who won back-to-back titles in 2018 and 2019, defeating Azhara Munoz in 2018 and Eun-Hee Ji in 2019. Cristie Kerr won her 19th LPGA Tour title with her victory in Hawaii in 2017 with a final round 6-under 66, holding off Lydia Ko, In Gee Chun, and Su-Yeon Jang for a three-shot victory.
Rookie Watch
The 2023 rookie class will be well-represented, with 31 of 31 in the field in Hawaii; which includes Minami Katsu, a 10-time winner on the JLPGA Tour; as an amateur, she became the youngest winner in JLPGA Tour history when she won the 2014 KKT Cup Vantelin Ladies Open at age 15. She is coming off a T7 finish in only her second start as a rookie. Alexa Pano, as an amateur, was the first three-time national finalist in the Drive, Chip, and Putt competition and was the youngest player in the inaugural Augusta National Women’s Amateur. People’s Republic of China native, two-time Epson Tour winner, and Epson Tour Gaelle Truet Rookie of the Year in 2022, Xiaowen Yin makes only her third start of the season at the LOTTE Championship.
)
)
)
)
