Kim Hyo-joo off to solid start in bid for third straight Aramco Korea title

Kim Hyo-joo opened in a tie for sixth place Thursday as she pursues a third consecutive title at the Ladies European Tour's Aramco Korea Championship, which carries a $2 million purse.

Kim carded five birdies and one bogey for a 4-under-par 68 in the first round at New Korea Country Club (par 72) in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province.

She sits three strokes behind sole leader Patricie Matuskova of the Czech Republic, who fired a bogey-free 7-under 65. Kim entered contention from the opening round, making a smooth start in her bid for a third straight championship.

The tournament, backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and organized by the LET, was first held in 2024. Kim won the inaugural edition and defended her title last year, claiming back-to-back victories.

Kim bogeyed the par-4 sixth hole but recovered with a birdie on the par-5 eighth to finish the front nine at even par. On the back nine, she picked up a stroke at the par-5 13th, then reeled off three consecutive birdies on holes 15 through 17 to climb the leaderboard.

Park Sung-hyun also sits tied for sixth, carding four birdies without a bogey.

Matuskova leads after posting seven birdies with no bogeys. Yamashita Miyu of Japan, Sara Kemp of Australia, Olivia Cowan of Germany and Lily May Humphreys of England are tied for second at 5-under 67.

South Korean national team amateur Koo Min-ji is tied for 11th at 3-under 69, while fellow amateur Kim Gyu-bin is tied for 16th at 2-under 70.