Gina Kim’s return to the LPGA Tour is already paying dividends.

After rebuilding her game and confidence on the LPGA’s official qualifying tour, the Epson Tour graduate opened with a 3-under-par 69 to sit tied for seventh following the first round of the Buick LPGA Shanghai. Kim relied on steady ball-striking and sharp short-game play, carding three birdies without a dropped shot, hitting 11 of 14 fairways, hitting 13 of 18 greens in regulation, and needing just 28 putts while going 1-for-1 in sand saves.

Kim credited her performance in part to capitalizing on a fresh venue.

"I told myself that this is a new course that everyone hasn't seen yet," Kim said. "I thought maybe this might be a good place to try to capitalize on that and put myself in a good place. I thought I did exactly that today."

Her strong start follows a dominant 2025 campaign on the Epson Tour, where she posted 16 cuts in 18 starts and earned seven top-10 finishes. Her season featured victories at the IOA Golf Classic, Copper Rock Championship, and Hartford HealthCare Women's Championship. She finished third in the Race for the Card standings to re-earn her LPGA Tour status for 2026.

Despite experiencing ups and downs on the LPGA Tour, where she has made six cuts in 19 starts, Kim captured the Dow Championship earlier this season alongside playing partner Yana Wilson. Playing in the Asia Swing, Kim expressed deep gratitude for her time on the Epson Tour and how it prepared her for current success.

"I'm so grateful to be out here. Last time I was out here was three years ago, specifically this whole Asia Swing," Kim said. "I'm just grateful to have a tee time. I think Epson Tour really solidified that gratefulness, that gratitude in me. And, yeah, I mean, new course, coming back to Shanghai again, it has always been lovely.

"Next week for the BMW (Ladies Championship) will be my first time competing in front of family and that has always been a dream of mine, so this year's Asia Swing especially is a little more special than other years."

With momentum from her Epson Tour success and an bogey-free opening round, Kim looks poised to contend throughout the tournament.

"It was satisfying to convert some birdies and snag one right on the last hole before I finished, so it was fun," Kim added.

Gina Kim Capitalizes on Epson Tour Experience to Charge Up LPGA Leaderboard

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