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Pine Beach Golf Links – Haenam, South Korea | Friday, October 17, 2025
Sei Young Kim began the week by lighting up Pine Beach Golf Links, and after two rounds, she’s still the one everyone’s chasing. The veteran Korean star backed up her opening-round 62 with a composed 6-under 66 on Friday, moving to 16-under par (128) and holding a one-stroke advantage at the midway point of the BMW Ladies Championship.
Right on her heels is Brooke Matthews, whose blistering 64 vaulted her to 15-under (129). A pair of rising contenders—Rio Takeda and Hyo Joo Kim—sit tied for third at 13-under (131), with Nasa Hataoka alone in fifth at 12-under (132).
The leaderboard at Pine Beach reads like a script built for drama: veterans finding form, young players refusing to blink, and a seaside course daring anyone to look comfortable for long.
Kim’s Balance of Fire and Patience
Kim’s round looked almost serene compared to the fireworks of Thursday’s 62, but the control she displayed may prove even more valuable. She hit 15 greens, needed only 28 putts, and never appeared flustered—even when a misread led to her lone bogey at the par-3 13th.
“After yesterday’s low round, staying disciplined was key,” she said afterward. “I knew the course would bite back today.”
That discipline carried her through a three-birdie burst on the front nine and a tidy finish down the stretch. Her short game—particularly a series of delicate up-and-downs from Pine Beach’s tight surrounds—kept the card clean when the breeze stiffened off the Sea of Korea.
Kim now finds herself in familiar territory: leading on home soil with pressure mounting and two long days left.
Matthews Makes Her Move
Brooke Matthews matched her aggressiveness with precision, compiling eight birdies and no bogeys on the way to a sparkling 64. The Arkansas alum’s length off the tee—she averaged more than 270 yards—gave her short irons into most par 4s, and the putter stayed hot all afternoon.
“I tried not to think about chasing anyone,” she said. “Just fairways, greens, and trusting the read.”
That simple formula worked. When she drained a 25-footer on the par-4 16th to reach –15, the crowd’s murmur felt like a warning shot across Kim’s bow. Matthews will play in Saturday’s final pairing for the first time in her LPGA career.
The Chase Behind
Behind them, Rio Takeda continues to impress with poise beyond her years. Her second-round 66 mirrored Thursday’s 65—steady, efficient, and highlighted by birdies on 11, 12, and 17.
Hyo Joo Kim, meanwhile, cooled slightly after her opening 63 but remains within reach at –13. Her iron play remains elite, though she lamented a few missed chances on the back nine.
Nasa Hataoka quietly posted 65 to climb to –12, setting up yet another weekend surge. And just three shots further back, Minjee Lee and Céline Boutier joined a cluster at –10 after matching 66s—evidence that the chase pack is stacked with proven winners.
The Course Fights Back
Pine Beach Golf Links, perched on the cliffs of Haenam, is showing both beauty and bite. After a calm Thursday, the wind off the Yellow Sea picked up throughout Friday’s round, swirling across the exposed front nine and demanding precision on the short par 3s.
Tournament officials moved several tees forward—the 3rd played at 172 yards and the 17th at 477—to balance playability with scoring chances. Even so, the rough stayed punishing, mown at 65 mm, and the greens rolled at nearly 12 on the Stimpmeter.
Players spoke afterward about controlling spin more than distance. “It’s easy to over-cook wedges here,” said Hye-Jin Choi, who carded her second 66 to reach –10. “The greens are quick but also firm—it’s about hitting it below the hole.”
Weather and Conditions
Morning temperatures hovered in the mid-60s °F with light coastal haze before winds freshened to 15 mph by early afternoon. The LPGA’s on-site forecast projects a similar pattern Saturday—cooler dawn temps, increasing wind late—which could tighten scoring and emphasize course management.
Green speeds were measured at 11 feet 10 inches early Friday, slightly faster than opening day, and players reported firmer fairways that added both distance and danger.
Momentum Swings and Mental Games
Round 2 revealed the emotional rhythm of championship golf. Kim’s steadiness contrasted with the aggressive surges from Matthews and the steady push of Takeda. Every leaderboard glance carried tension; every gust of wind tested patience.
Minjee Lee, who climbed into contention with six birdies and no bogeys, described her mindset: “Out here you can’t force anything. You pick your spots. It’s links golf—you ride the wind instead of fighting it.”
That sentiment could define the weekend. Whoever manages the mental balance—confidence without overreach—will likely be the one hoisting the trophy on Sunday.
Round 2 Leaderboard (Top 10)
| Position | Player | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sei Young Kim | –16 (62-66 = 128) |
| 2 | Brooke Matthews | –15 (65-64 = 129) |
| T3 | Rio Takeda | –13 (65-66 = 131) |
| T3 | Hyo Joo Kim | –13 (63-68 = 131) |
| 5 | Nasa Hataoka | –12 (67-65 = 132) |
| T6 | Minjee Lee | –10 (68-66 = 134) |
| T6 | Céline Boutier | –10 (69-65 = 134) |
| T6 | Hye-Jin Choi | –10 (68-66 = 134) |
| T6 | Miyu Yamashita | –10 (68-66 = 134) |
| T6 | Yealimi Noh | –10 (66-68 = 134) |
Weekend Outlook
The weekend sets up perfectly: the home favorite with a slim lead, a hungry rookie in pursuit, and world-class names waiting to pounce.
Kim’s task is to protect the rhythm that’s carried her so far. Matthews’ mission: keep the putter hot and nerves cool. For everyone else inside five shots, the plan is simple—stay aggressive early, then survive the back nine’s wind-swept cliffs.
Forecasts call for gustier conditions by Sunday, which could turn the final round into a ball-striking clinic. At Pine Beach, no lead feels safe, and every shot brings the sound of crashing waves just beyond the fairway—a constant reminder that beauty here demands respect.
The BMW Ladies Championship is officially wide open.
