Hyo Joo Kim shoots 66, maintains 5-stroke advantage in third round of Founders Cup
MENLO PARK, Calif. — Hyo Joo Kim started strong, playing the initial six holes at 6 under par before experiencing a slowdown on Saturday at the tree-lined Sharon Heights, maintaining a five-stroke advantage over Nelly Korda with one round remaining in the Fortinet Founders Cup.
The 30-year-old South Korean, currently ranked eighth in the world, recorded a 6-under 66, bringing her total to 17-under 199. She previously claimed the tournament title in 2015 in Phoenix, marking her second victory among her seven LPGA Tour titles.
Entering the day with a four-shot lead, she achieved four birdies and an eagle on the par-5 fifth hole during her strong start, which concluded with a bogey on the par-5 seventh.
On the back nine, Kim began with a birdie, followed by two bogeys, and then another birdie, before birdieing the par-4 16th to return to 17 under. She narrowly missed a 15-foot birdie attempt on the par-3 17th, leaving it a foot short, and parred the par-5 18th after her drive landed in the left rough.
Korda recorded birdies on the 16th and 18th holes, finishing with a bogey-free 66. She opted out of the Asia swing after her victory in the season opener in Florida.
On Thursday, Kim made an eagle on the 8th hole, shooting a 63 to take a two-shot lead. She extended her advantage to four strokes on Friday with a score of 70. Following a third-place finish last month in Thailand, she is the defending champion for the upcoming event in Arizona.
Ruixin Liu from China and Gaby Lopez from Mexico are both at 11 under. Liu made an eagle on the fifth hole, finishing with a 66, while Lopez shot a 68 while playing alongside Kim.
Top-ranked Jeeno Thitikul (69) is at 9 under, along with Erika Hara (67), Karis Davidson (69), and Hye-Jin Choi (69).
The tournament was established as a tribute to the 13 founders of the LPGA. It commenced in Arizona in 2011 and was the second event of the season last year, held in Florida. It has drawn eight of the top 10 players in the world rankings and marks the beginning of a four-tournament series in the West leading up to the first major of the year.
