Dame Lydia Ko is no doubt a global star, with fans in steamy Singapore showing up in shirts with her picture.
“Even I don’t want to own a shirt with a picture of me,” Ko joked.
There was plenty for Ko fans to cheer about on Friday at the 2025 HSBC Women’s World Championship, as the Olympic gold medalist and LPGA Hall of Famer vaulted up the leaderboard after a carding a 5-under 67. The Kiwi now trails leader A Lim Kim by one stroke at Tanjong Course at Sentosa Golf Club. Kim, who won the season-opening Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, shot 68-69 to pace the field at 7-under 137.
“Today still my shot is good and putting is good but still green read is hard for me,” said Kim, “and then a lot of swirling wind, gust a lot. Tricky days.”
Kim’s impressive run continues as she has now carded nine out of 10 rounds in the 60s in 2025. Her second round in Singapore included a near ace on the par-3 fourth hole.
“My plan is five yards short of the pin, but that is lucky,” said Kim, who is now a three-time winner on the LPGA, including the 2020 U.S. Women’s Open.
Though Ko has won 22 times on the LPGA, she has yet to win the HSBC. She’s one of five players in the field to have made 10 or more previous appearances, joined by Carlota Ciganda, Amy Yang, Jenny Shin and Danielle Kang.
“I don’t think I typically play really well on this golf course,” said Ko, “and I thought this year would be a good year to kind of turn that around. The scores haven’t really been that low these past couple days. I’m just trying to focus on me and hopefully just keep climbing up the leaderboard.”
Ko said her fairy-tale season in 2024 helped her to come out in 2025 with a bit more freedom. She pointed to a rough start in Bradenton, Florida, earlier this year in which she was 6 over through seven holes – “probably the worst start I’ve ever had” – but still able to turn it around. The feel she found in the midst of that rough patch has carried on to Singapore.
“I still have goals,” said Ko, “and while I’m still playing, I want to play the best golf I can and contend as much as I can. There’s no better feeling than being the person that’s hoisting the trophy at the end of Sunday.”
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Lydia Ko charges into contention 2025 HSBC Women’s World Championship
