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Grace Kim hangs around, Hye-Jin Choi holds lead as wind batters LPGA field

The Buick LPGA Classic’s opening weekend delivered a test of endurance as gusty winds reshaped the field’s fortunes. Hye-Jin Choi held firm at two shots clear after 36 holes, extending her lead in pursuit of her first LPGA title—a milestone that would cap a career already stacked with 12 victories on the Korean LPGA Tour.

Grace Kim, the 2025 Evian Championship winner, matched her resilience with a patient round of 72, finishing at 4 under and just two shots back. The wind’s unpredictability turned the course into a challenge reminiscent of major championships, with Kim noting how it stretched long holes and forced cautious play.

Only nine golfers remain under par after two days, as 12 rounds in the 80s and just 12 in the 60s reflected the tough conditions. The LPGA’s four-week Asian swing continues next in South Korea, with Malaysia and Japan to follow.

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