Kim Hyo-joo celebrates after winning the NH Investment & Securities Ladies Championship at Suwon Country Club in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, May 10. Courtesy of KLPGA
Kim Hyo-joo, world No. 3 in women's golf with two LPGA titles this season, will lead the Korean contingent at the second major tournament of the year this week in California.
Kim will be one of 23 Korean players in the field of 156 at the 81st U.S. Women's Open at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, near Los Angeles, starting Thursday.
Kim is one of four players to win multiple times this LPGA season. World No. 1 Nelly Korda has won three times, while Kim, second-ranked Jeeno Thitikul and fifth-ranked Hannah Green have won two tournaments apiece.
Korda, who won the season's first major, the Chevron Championship, in April, is also the leader in the Player of the Year points with 159, and Kim is in second place with 79 points. Players earn 30 points for a tournament victory but 60 points for a major title.
