A shift in tournament date has kept Grace Kim waiting 18 months but this week she finally gets to defend her LOTTE Championship title in Hawaii.

Although somewhat unsure of the giant champion’s poster that greeted her upon arrival at Hoakalei Country Club, 23-year-old Kim is already feeling the love.

“They probably chose a very terrible photo of me up on the banner, but that’s fine. My face is still up there,” said Kim.

“Someone said, ‘Welcome home’, so that’s really cool.”

Tied for 34th last week in Japan, Kim has three top-10 finishes in her second LPGA Tour season and is currently 47th in the Race to CME Globe standings.

Although there have been some disappointing finishes in 2024 after playing her way into contention for a second LPGA Tour win, Kim believes the victory in her rookie season will continue to help throughout her career.

“Obviously was still fresh into my rookie season, so very low expectations. No additional pressure was added,” Kim said of a win that came just three starts into her LPGA Tour career.

“I think I had more pressure this year when I was in the two contending days.

“That’s just a learning experience itself. I probably got a little bit too ahead of myself or getting to the golf course a little bit too early.

“I still sometimes think when I’m down like might have been a fluke. Obviously it wasn’t, so try to use that as momentum into the rest of my career for sure.”

With just two events left before the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship, it shapes as a crucial week for fellow Aussies Stephanie Kyriacou and Hira Naveed.

With the top 60 and ties to qualify for the Tour Championship, Kyriacou needs to solidify her current 57th position while Naveed will be hoping to build on her tie for 17th last week and move up further from her 70th position on the Race to CME Globe Points List.

Photo: Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images

Round 1 tee times AEST

LPGA Tour
LOTTE Championship
Hoakalei Country Club, Ewa Beach, Hawaii
4:40am             Stephanie Kyriacou
8:53am            Grace Kim
9:15am*           Hira Naveed
9:37am*           Robyn Choi

Defending champion: Grace Kim
Past Aussie winners: Minjee Lee (2016), Grace Kim (2023)
Prize money: $US3 million
TV times: Live 11am-2pm Thursday, Friday and Saturday on Fox Sports 503 and Kayo.