PHOENIX — Hyo Joo Kim triumphed over Nelly Korda for the second consecutive week, pulling ahead around the turn on Sunday and concluding with a 3-under 69 for a two-shot win at the Ford Championship.
Kim was on track to surpass the LPGA Tour’s scoring record for 72 holes until a single error resulted in a double bogey on the eighth hole, providing Korda with a glimmer of hope.
Korda, who began the final round four shots behind, quickly narrowed the gap to just one stroke. However, she missed a short par putt on the ninth, which was followed by a two-shot swing on the 10thβKim’s approach landed 18 inches from the hole for birdie, while Korda was unable to recover for par.
Korda did not get any closer until the tournament was beyond her reach, finishing with an eagle-birdie for a 67.
Having also claimed the Ford Championship last year, Kim has now achieved back-to-back victories for the first time in her career, both against Korda. Last week at the Founders Cup, the 30-year-old South Korean successfully fended off a late charge from Korda.
“I wanted to ask Nelly how it feels to win back-to-back,” Kim remarked with a laugh, referencing Korda’s five consecutive wins during the 2024 season.
Kim concluded the tournament at 28-under 260. With three early birdiesβand a week where she recorded rounds of 61 twiceβit appeared she might break the LPGA scoring record of 257 set by Sei Young Kim at the 2017 Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic.
Those aspirations were dampened on the par-4 eighth hole when Kim pulled her tee shot. She attempted to punch a hybrid under tree branches, but it rolled too far on the sun-baked fairway, through the crusty green, and continued rolling down a slope into the desert scrub.
This resulted in a double bogey. Kim also missed two 5-foot birdie opportunities and had a three-putt bogey on the 16th.
However, Korda faced her own putting difficulties, missing a 2-foot par putt on the 15thβher second short miss of the roundβwhich effectively sealed her fate.
“Where it went wrong? There are a couple of shots here and there that I would like to have back, more like a couple of putts throughout the week,” Korda stated. “I’m going to miss a bunch of those putts throughout my entire career, and I just can’t get down on myself.”
Korda has secured one victory and two runner-up finishes in three LPGA starts this year. This was the lowest she has been under par (26 under) in her LPGA career, but she encountered one of the hottest players in women’s golf.
“I’m done playing with her,” Korda joked.
This marked the fifth consecutive time they were grouped together, allowing Korda to witness remarkable play, particularly Kim’s putting.
“Hyo Joo has been playing amazing golf,” Korda commented. “She is a phenomenal player and person. She definitely motivates me on the golf course.”
Minami Katsu of Japan shot 65 to secure third place alone. Lydia Ko, who started the tournament with a 60, finished in fourth, eight shots back.
