BACOLOD – Seo Yun Kim took a giant step toward a long-awaited breakthrough on the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour, pulling away from the pack with a commanding six-stroke lead after 36 holes in the ICTSI Bacolod Golf Challenge at the Bacolod Golf and Country Club here on Wednesday, Sept. 3.

Displaying poise and precision far beyond her 21 years, the Korean shot a composed 68 to go with her sparkling, bogey-free 66 in the opening round, taking her to a tournament-leading six-under-par 134 total.

What makes Kim’s performance even more impressive is that it comes on the tight, tree-lined fairways of the Binitin layout – short in yardage but unforgiving in complexity. Her control, consistency and touch around the greens – particularly under the searing Bacolod heat – hint at a player not just eager to win, but fully ready to do so in style.

Kim, who has endured six runner-up finishes in a three-year LPGT campaign, is now within striking distance of not just a maiden win, but a wire-to-wire victory that would serve as a definitive statement of her arrival.

“I don’t want to lose this one,” said Kim with quiet resolve. “No expectations, but I think I can make it this time.”

She credited her strong showing to regular practice and the relentless pursuit of that elusive first win. “I just want to stay focused and play easy – no pressure,” she added.

Kim opened her second round with four pars before igniting her charge with a birdie on the fifth. She then duplicated her birdie-birdie burst from Nos. 8 and 9 – similar to her opening-round tear – to separate herself from the chasing field.

Though she slipped with bogeys on Nos. 10 and 13, she bounced back with a birdie on the par-5 15th, closing with a 32-36 card.

While the soft-spoken Kim downplays expectations, her near-flawless execution – especially with her short game – says otherwise. Even as the greens hardened and sped up under the midday sun, Kim showed remarkable control, salvaging pars when needed and capitalizing on scoring opportunities.

“I really had a hard time with my approach shots going over the greens,” she admitted.

Despite Kim’s formidable advantage, the country’s top pros aren't backing down.

Pauline del Rosario, Florence Bisera, Sarah Ababa and defending champion Daniella Uy all finished at even-par 140 to stay within striking range. Del Rosario, in particular, looked sharp with a three-under 67, finally finding her rhythm after an erratic first round.

Bisera shot a 68, Ababa matched par 70 for the second straight day and Uy turned in a 71.

Lois Kaye Go also made a strong case, birdieing three of her first six holes before settling for a 68 and solo sixth at 141. Mafy Singson, a former LPGT winner at Eagle Ridge, posted a steady 70 to sit at 143, while Kristine Fleetwood, after an impressive 69 start, stumbled with a 75 and joined Tiffany Lee and Pamela Mariano (both 73) at 144.

Harmie Constantino improved with a 71 after an opening 74 but remained outside the major chase at 145.

The locals are expected to mount a full-on assault in the final round. But with Kim holding a six-stroke cushion, they not only need to play their best golf – they must also disrupt Kim’s momentum early, something no one has been able to do so far.

For Kim, the path is clear: play smart, stay calm and let her game do the talking.