Youmin Hwang is making waves at the LOTTE Championship in Honolulu. She shot a remarkable 10-under 62 during the second round, matching the tournament record set by Lizette Salas in 2013 and Cristie Kerr in 2017. This performance marks the best round in the event’s four-year history at the Hoakalei Country Club.
Hwang Takes Commanding Lead
With her 62, Hwang stands at 15-under 129, establishing a three-stroke lead with two rounds remaining. She opened her round with an eagle followed by a birdie, dropped a stroke on the fourth hole, and made eight additional birdies. The 22-year-old South Korean expressed her excitement, stating, “First of all, I broke my life-best score. At the same time, I broke the course record, so I feel very good.”
Comparing Courses: South Korea vs. Hawaii
Hwang noted the stark differences in the playing conditions between Hawaii and her home country. “It’s very different to Korea and play in Korea LPGA,” she mentioned regarding the grass type.
Challengers Close Behind
- Akie Iwai of Japan, the first-round leader, followed up her opening 64 with a 68, now at 12 under.
- Jessica Porvasnik, an LPGA Tour rookie, also sits at 12 under after a solid 65.
- The Iwai sisters, Akie and Chisato, are both performing well, with Chisato at 8 under after a 66.
- Nasa Hataoka and Gabriela Ruffels both recorded 69s, bringing them to 10 under.
- Second-ranked Nelly Korda improved to 8 under following a 67.
- Charley Hull is at 7 under after a 68, having won the Kroger Queen City Championship recently.
Brooke Henderson, a past champion of the event, stands at 4 under following two rounds of 70, while defending champion A Lim Kim is also at 4 under after a 74.
Upcoming LPGA Tours
After the LOTTE Championship, the LPGA Tour heads to Asia for a series of tournaments in Shanghai, South Korea, Malaysia, and Japan over the next five weeks. The competition continues to showcase new talent, with different champions emerging in every tournament this season.
