The LPGA’s Asian Swing seems to be suiting American Auston Kim just fine. Coming off a T-18 finish and a solo second, Kim is in the hunt once again this week, carding a 5-under 66 in the first round of the Blue Bay LPGA in China.
That score has her in a tie for fourth, just one shot back of a three-way tie for the lead held by Youmin Hwang, Mary Liu and Weiwei Zhang.
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“I think I made nine birdies today and four bogeys,” Kim said after her round. “I think I just need to get a little tighter off the tee.”
Auston Kim hits a tee shot on 10th hole during the first round of the 2026 Blue Bay LPGA at Jian Lake Blue Bay Golf Course in Hainan Island, China.
Kim led the field with 16 greens in regulation on Thursday but also had a pair of three-putts. On top of that, she said she knows she needs more consistency off tee with the big stick.
“It’s just like me telling the driver like, ‘you got to listen right now.’ I’m not really one of those players who takes driver out to hit 3-wood. I’m kind of stubborn that way, too. It’s like even if I’m not hitting driver well I’m still going to want to hit driver just because I don’t want to hit 3-wood,” she explained. “Overall, like I just need to work on the driver more.”
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Kim finished 13 under in each of her first two events in 2026, the Honda LPGA Thailand and the HSBC Women’s World Championship. Her second place finish a week ago included a 5-under 67 in the final round but wasn’t quite enough to catch tournament winner Hannah Green. The now third-year tour pro is still seeking her first LPGA win.
The event at Jian Lake Blue Bay Golf Course at Hainan Island in China features 31 Chinese players, three of whom are in the top six after 18 holes.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Auston Kim contends at Blue Bay LPGA despite being stubbon with driver