Kim Su-ji soared to the sole lead of the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association, or KLPGA, Tour Aurora World Championship after firing a 6-under-par round through the scorching heatwave.

Playing the third round of the tournament at Aurora Golf & Resort in Wonju, Gangwon Province, Kim shot seven birdies and one bogey for a 6-under 66.

She moved to the top of the leaderboard at 11-under 205 overall, edging out Lee Ji-hyun by a single stroke.

Kim will aim for her first victory of the season in the final fourth round to be held at the same venue tomorrow.

Kim, who has six career wins, is seeking her first victory in one year and 10 months since her triumph at the 24th Hite Jinro Championship in October 2024.

The vast majority of players struggled with low scores on this day due to the sweltering weather.

Out of the 61 players who made the cut, only 10 finished under par.

Kim ruthlessly shaved strokes off her score from the very beginning of the round.

After bagging her first birdie on the par-5 1st hole, Kim climbed up the rankings by sinking consecutive birdies on the 3rd hole (par 4) and the 4th hole (par 4), which are considered the toughest holes on the course.

She successfully drained a 15-meter birdie putt on the par-3 6th hole.

Having cut four strokes just on the front nine, Kim kept her momentum going on the back nine.

She recorded back-to-back birdies on the par-4 10th hole and the par-5 11th hole.

After grabbing a birdie on the par-4 14th hole, Kim suffered her first bogey by missing a 1.3-meter par putt on the par-4 15th hole, but she maintained her score on the remaining holes to secure the lead.

Lee Ye-won, who started the third round in sole second place, shot an even-par 72 to tie for third place with Lee Da-yeon at 9-under 207 overall.

Seo Gyo-rim, who has secured two wins this season and stands second in both the Player of the Year points race and the prize money rankings, recorded three consecutive birdies near the end of the round to finish with an even-par 72, tying for fifth place at 6-under 210 overall alongside Ko Ji-won, Jung Yoon-ji, Jang Eun-soo, and Kim Min-joo.

(Photo: Provided by KLPGA Tour, Yonhap News)