LOTTE Championship 2025 — Live Coverage & Pro-Golfer Insights from Hoakalei (Oct 1–4)
Live updates, moving-day analysis, leaderboard breakdown, and video highlights from the LOTTE Championship presented by Hoakalei — written with a pro-golfer’s eye for shot selection, course strategy, and stats that matter.
Topline: leaderboard & headlines
After 36 holes at Hoakalei, Youmin Hwang surged into the lead with a blistering 10-under 62 (36-hole total −15), followed by Akie Iwai and Jessica Porvasnik tied near the top.
Hoakalei Country Club — course, yardage, and conditions
Hoakalei plays as a par-72 at roughly 6,566 yards for this event — a compact, target-style layout where approach iron proximity and scrambling are more valuable than raw distance off the tee. Prevailing trade winds across Oʻahu can make pins on the back nine much trickier later in the afternoon.
Moving-day watchlist — what I’d expect from the final 36
As a pro, I’m watching: iron accuracy inside 150 yards, putting from 10–20 feet, and how the leaders handle wind changes on holes 13–16. Players who can save par from tight lies and stay aggressive with mid-iron to tucked pins will climb the leaderboard.
Key stats & how I’d play it — pro tips
- Short-iron focus: On firm Poa annua/grass greens, leave approaches below the hole to force two-putts and avoid long downhill breakers.
- Scrambling is gold: Players who miss greens but save par from light rough score better than those who miss left into heavy rough.
- Think pin locations: On tight pin positions, a conservative 6-iron to the center reduces big numbers. Aggression is for attackers on receptive pins only.
Top 15 Leaderboard
| Pos | Player | Total | R1 | R2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Youmin Hwang | -15 | 67 | 62 |
| 2 | Akie Iwai | -12 | 66 | 66 |
| 3 | Jessica Porvasnik | -12 | 65 | 67 |
| 4 | Nasa Hataoka | -10 | 68 | 64 |
| 5 | Gabriela Ruffels | -10 | 67 | 65 |
| 6 | Nelly Korda | -9 | 66 | 67 |
| 7 | Brooke Matthews | -8 | 69 | 65 |
| 8 | Charley Hull | -7 | 68 | 67 |
| 9 | Lydia Ko | -6 | 70 | 64 |
| 10 | Lexi Thompson | -6 | 69 | 65 |
| 11 | Hye-Jin Choi | -5 | 71 | 66 |
| 12 | Minjee Lee | -5 | 68 | 69 |
| 13 | Sung Hyun Park | -4 | 70 | 66 |
| 14 | Ally Ewing | -4 | 69 | 67 |
| 15 | Inbee Park | -3 | 70 | 67 |
Video highlights & social — watch the best moments
Condensed Round 2 — big shots & course moments worth rewinding. (Source: LPGA YouTube)
Youmin Hwang, ladies and gentlemen — a course record 62 to take the LOTTE lead. 🔥
— LPGA (@LPGA) October 3, 2025
Youmin's round was pure from tee to green. Stat line you have to love. #LotteChampionship
— LPGA Media (@LPGAMedia) October 3, 2025
