Hyo Joo Kim Claims Founders Cup with Narrow Victory
Hyo Joo Kim secured a wire-to-wire victory at the Fortinet Founders Cup, narrowly defeating Nelly Korda by one stroke. Kim's performance included key par saves on the final holes.
MENLO PARK, Calif. -- Hyo Joo Kim successfully fended off Nelly Korda on Sunday at Sharon Heights, achieving a wire-to-wire victory in the Fortinet Founders Cup.
After losing her initial five-stroke lead after 10 holes, Kim regained her advantage on the next hole, ultimately finishing with a one-shot victory despite a closing bogey.
"I don't think I was necessarily shaken up or my emotions were all over the place," Kim remarked through an interpreter. "I was just trying to keep my focus on my shots and what I was doing."
Kim recorded a final score of 1-over 73, totaling 16-under 272 for the tournament. The 30-year-old South Korean golfer also won the event in Phoenix in 2015 and boasts eight titles on the LPGA Tour alongside 14 victories on the KLPGA Tour.
Korda, who closed with a 69, missed a crucial short par putt on No. 17. The American player had previously won the season opener in Florida but opted out of the Asia swing.
"Obviously, something like 17 stings, so it is what it is," Korda said. "It's golf. It's a quick turnaround. There is next week. So, just going to take all the positives."
Korda matched Kim with a bogey on the second hole, but then birdied six of the next eight holes to tie for the lead. Kim regained the lead with a birdie on the par-4 11th, traded bogeys with Korda on the par-4 12th, and extended her lead with another birdie on the par-4 14th.
Kim lost a stroke with a bogey on the par-4 16th but made a critical par save on the par-3 17th after hitting long, leaving her with a two-shot advantage heading to the final hole.
"I think just in the back nine my two par saves were probably the things I'm proudest about today," Kim stated. "Just because my shots weren't playing as well."
Kim's victory marked her first win in a year since the Ford Championship in Phoenix. She began the tournament strongly, holing out for eagle on the eighth hole during a first-round 63 that gave her a two-shot lead, which she extended to four strokes with a second-round 70.
"I enjoyed every single day, but this course was pretty tough," Kim added.
Sei Young Kim (67) and Jin Hee Im (69) tied for third at 11 under par. The top-ranked Jeeno Thitikul finished tied for 14th at 8 under following a 73.
The Founders Cup, which started in Arizona in 2011 to honor the 13 founders of the LPGA, was held in Florida last year.