October 08-11
Aronimink Golf Club, Newtown Square, Pennsylvania
$4,300,000
Round 1, Round 3, Round 4

Sei Young Kim birdied five of her final six holes on Friday for a 6-under 29 on the front nine to take the lead of the KPMG Women's PGA Championship with a 5-under 65.

"When we entered the front nine, the wind kind of slowed down and it was kind of easier to attack with my irons."

Her round tied Karrie Webb's in 2001 and Sarah Kemp;s in 2011 for the lowest nine-hole score in the Women's PGA Championship.

"The birdie on 14 was pretty good because it was a long birdie putt, and that's when I started the four-birdie streak. So I think that really helped me with momentum and finishing strong."

Kim has won ten times on Tour but has yet to win a major. She came second in the Women's PGA Championship in 2015 and tied for second at the Evian Championship in 2018.

Jennifer Kupcho shot the round of the championship so far with her 5-under 65, hitting all 18 greens in regulation despite not feeling at ease with the course.

“Honestly, just not feeling comfortable with the golf course. I mean, I played each nine only once this week [in practice rounds], so just like – I didn't feel like I knew what was going to happen.”

Kupcho scaled back her preparation for the event after her runner-up finish at the ShopRite LPGA Classic last week left her in need of rest.

“It takes a big toll being at the top of the leaderboard mentally, so I was just taking a break,” she said.

"Going into last week, I was not prepared, like I felt completely unprepared. I felt the same way coming into this week. I didn't feel like I was ready to come play this type of a golf course. I think not being prepared brings another challenge for me, and I think that's what helps me play well."

After a disappointing start when the Tour returned from the coronavirus break, she missed four cuts in five starts, she decided to change her caddie and return to her old college Ping i210 irons. Since then she has tied for 22nd at the ANA Inspitation and almost won last week.

Danielle Kang, the 2017 champion, Carlota Ciganda and Anna Nordqvist are tied with Kupcho in second place, one shot back from Kim.

Ciganda was quarantined at home in Arizona for several weeks earlier this year after testing positive for coronavirus several times, suffering memory issues, fatigue and weight loss; and needed several more weeks afterwards to feel completely healty.

"I'm happy that I'm playing again and feeling pretty good again," she said.

World number 2 Nelly Korda withdrew from the tournament because of back pain. ANA Inspitation winner Mirim Lee also withdrew citing an unspecified injury.