I.K. Kim in Front at Lotte Championship


I.K. Kim opened with a 7-under 65 to take the 18-hole lead in the Lotte Championship. The LPGA Tour event started Wednesday at Ko Olina Golf Club in Hawaii.

On a blustery day, Kim carded eight birdies and a bogey to forge a two-stroke lead over fellow South Koreans Sei Young Kim (no relation), Inbee Park and Na Yeon Choi.

I.K. Kim, playing in the final group of the day, said the keys - which started on the 10th tee - came midway through the round and at the end. "I hit a really good putt at No. 7 and at No. 8 I hit an 8-iron downwind that stayed on top of the green so I was able to look at a makeable putt," she said.

"At the ninth, it was getting really dark. It was dinnertime really. There were just the three of us out there."

She then came home with a flourish with three straight birdies. "Birdie on the three finishing holes is why 65 was possible," Kim added. "I didn't think it was possible when I started today."

Trailing by four entering Thursday's second round are Japan's Haru Nomura, China's Xi Yu Lin, South Koreans Hyo Joo Kim and Mirim Lee, Spain's Beatriz Recari, Italy's Giulia Molinaro and Americans Paula Creamer, Morgan Pressel and Cristie Kerr.

Defending champion Michelle Wie was among nine players opening with 70s.

No. 1-ranked Lydia Ko isn't entered this week.

For all the scores, visit http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/lotte-championship/leaderboard.