PHOENIX — Hyo Joo Kim triumphed over Nelly Korda for the second consecutive week, extending her lead after the ninth hole on Sunday and recording a 3-under 69 to achieve a two-stroke victory in the Ford Championship.
Kim was on the verge of shattering the LPGA Tour’s lowest scoring record for 72 holes; however, a single error resulted in a double bogey on the eighth hole, rekindling Korda’s chances.
Korda, who faced a four-shot deficit as the final round commenced, suddenly found herself merely one stroke back. Nonetheless, the American failed to sink a brief par attempt on the ninth. This was succeeded by a two-stroke shift on the 10th – Kim landed her approach shot within 18 inches for a birdie, while Korda couldn’t manage an up-and-down to save par.
Korda could not narrow the gap further before the competition was beyond her grasp, concluding with an eagle and a birdie for a 67.
Kim, who had also claimed victory in the Ford Championship the previous year, now boasts consecutive triumphs for the first time in her professional journey, both against Korda. In the Founders Cup last week, the 30-year-old South Korean repelled a Sunday surge by Korda.
“I had intended to inquire of Nelly how it feels to achieve successive wins,” Kim said with a laugh, alluding to Korda’s five consecutive victories during the 2024 season.
Kim concluded with a score of 28-under 260. With three initial birdies – and a week in which she twice delivered 61-stroke rounds – it appeared that she could surpass the LPGA’s lowest score ever recorded of 257, established by Sei Young Kim at the 2017 Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic.
Those aspirations suffered a setback on the par-4 eighth hole, when Kim hooked her initial drive. She endeavored to strike a low hybrid shot under tree branches, but it sped across the scorched fairway, through the hardened green, continuing its movement until it descended a gradient and went into the desert brush.
This resulted in a double bogey. Kim failed on two occasions to convert 5-foot birdie opportunities, and she additionally incurred a bogey from three putts on the 16th.
However, the short-game struggles plagued Korda, who failed to sink a two-foot par attempt on the 15th – her second brief missed putt of the round – which virtually sealed the outcome.
“What went awry? There are a few specific strokes here and there that I wish I could replay, specifically a few putts over the course of the week,” Korda stated. “I’m going to fail to convert numerous such putts throughout my entire career, and I simply must not become discouraged.”
Korda has claimed victory and secured second place on two occasions from three appearances on the LPGA this year. It represented her lowest score relative to par (26 under) in her LPGA career. She just encountered one of the most in-form athletes in women’s golf.
“I’m finished competing against her,” Korda declared, facetiously.
This was the fifth consecutive occasion they were paired together, and Korda has had a prime vantage point for witnessing extraordinary performance, particularly Kim’s prowess on the greens.
“Hyo Joo has been delivering exceptional golf,” Korda stated. “She’s an extraordinary competitor, and individual. She unquestionably spurs me on during play.”
Minami Katsu of Japan recorded a 65 to secure sole possession of third place. Lydia Ko, who commenced the event with a score of 60, ended up in fourth position, trailing by eight strokes.