PHOENIX — Hyo Joo Kim surged past Nelly Korda and etched her name into the LPGA record books on Saturday with her second 11-under 61 of the week, achieving the lowest 54-hole score in LPGA history and establishing a four-shot lead in the Ford Championship.
Kim recorded seven consecutive one-putt greens, highlighted by a remarkable start to the back nine on the Cattail course at Whirlwind Golf Club, where she made birdie-birdie-eagle-birdie as she began to extend her lead.
Even her less-than-perfect shots turned out favorably. On the par-4 16th, the 30-year-old South Korean averted her gaze in frustration after pulling her approach, only for the ball to bounce right and roll down the slope to 7 feet for yet another birdie.
She secured a two-putt birdie on the 17th, and her par on the 18th brought her total to 25-under 191, breaking the previous 54-hole record by one shot, which had been shared by four players.
“Overall, everything was fantastic – putter, iron, driver, everything performed as I hoped,” Kim stated.
Korda had limited options to respond. She began with a two-shot lead, recorded a bogey-free 67, and heads into the final round trailing by four shots.
“It was great,” Korda remarked. “Playing alongside someone like Hyo Joo today made it feel like I didn’t have that great of a round. She played exceptional golf and putted really well. Overall, I can’t complain about a bogey-free round and 5 under. It was solid.”
Kim is the reigning champion in Phoenix and recently claimed victory at the Founders Cup, where she fended off a late charge from Korda to win by one stroke. Sunday will mark their fifth consecutive round playing in the same group.
“Nelly is my favorite player. It’s been wonderful playing together,” Kim expressed.
Kim also recorded a 61 in the opening round when morning conditions were ideal for scoring. That round was somewhat overshadowed by Lydia Ko’s 60. Ko has since struggled with rounds of 71 and 69, while the South Korean with the precise putting has thrived.
Kim required only 25 putts in the third round. Korda had noted on Friday after her third consecutive round with Kim, “Watching her putt the way she does is always so mesmerizing for me.”
Mimi Rhodes, the 24-year-old LPGA rookie from England, earlier shot a 63 and is part of a large group tied for third that includes Ko, Chizzy Iwai, Minami Katsu, and Ina Yoon. However, all of them trail by nine shots.
Sunday is shaping up to be a two-player contest between competitors who have already secured victories this year. Korda won the season opener, which was shortened to 54 holes due to extreme cold and wind in Florida, while Kim triumphed last week at Sharon Heights.
For Kim, there is an opportunity to surpass the 72-hole record set by Sei Young Kim at 257 during the 2018 Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic.
“You see her make putt after putt and hit excellent shots, but you have to remind yourself that it’s just Saturday,” Korda said. “There are still 18 more holes to play.”
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