Auston Kim of the United States holds a one-shot lead at the HSBC Women’s World Championship after shooting a 3-under 69 in the second round at Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore. The 9-under total puts her ahead of Minjee Lee, Ariya Jutanugarn and Haeran Ryu, who are tied for second. Kim emphasized embracing the competition as she seeks her first LPGA victory.
The HSBC Women’s World Championship, the second event in the LPGA’s early-year Asian swing, continued on February 27, 2026, at Sentosa Golf Club’s Tanjong course in Singapore. Auston Kim maintained her lead from the first round with a steady performance, carding a 69 despite a double-bogey on the par-5 16th due to a four-putt. Her two-round total stands at 9-under 135, marking the second time in her career she has led an LPGA event.
“I’m trying to embrace every single moment right now, and every single moment I’m out there competing and playing golf, it’s a win and there’s only things to gain,” Kim said. To combat the Singapore heat, she revealed consuming at least 1,000 calories during rounds this week, up from 700-800 earlier in the season, along with prioritizing recovery through sleep and supplements.
Australia’s Minjee Lee, a three-time major winner, surged with an 8-under 64—her best round of the day—featuring an eagle on the par-4 second and six birdies. The No. 4-ranked player, in her first event of the 2026 season, tied for second at 8-under. “Obviously, I couldn’t see it going in, but I heard the roars. It was a nice number and it was a nice shot in,” Lee said of her eagle.
Tied with Lee are Ariya Jutanugarn, who shot 67, and Haeran Ryu with 68. Fellow Australian Hannah Green fired a 66, birdieing the last three holes to reach 7-under and join Nanna Koerstz Madsen, Linn Grant and rookie Mimi Rhodes in a tie for fifth. Green noted, “Scoring has always been around middle teens that’s won this tournament. I’m a little bit far back from that. So I think I’m going to need a lot this weekend.”
England’s Charley Hull, the world No. 3, improved with a 67 to 5-under, sharing 11th after a hospital visit in England the previous weekend. Defending champion Lydia Ko of New Zealand is tied for 27th at 2-under after a 72, while world No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand, fresh off a win in her home country, stands tied for 33rd at 1-under following a 70. American Angel Yin matched Lee’s low round with a 64, reaching 6-under.
The 72-player, no-cut field features nine of the top 10 players, excluding No. 2 Nelly Korda. The tournament concludes with the final round on Sunday, followed by the LPGA’s next stop in Hainan Island, China.
