Photo by Max Bechtoldt/Women’s Golf Daily News
Hyo Joo Kim won her second Founders Cup and eighth LPGA Tour event overall with a two-stroke victory over Nelly Korda at Sharon Heights Golf and Country Club in Menlo Park, California.
Kim entered the day with a commanding five-stroke lead, but Korda, the No. 2 ranked player in the world, erased that deficit by the time the final group reached the back nine. Every aspect of Korda’s game was working as she had birdies on six of the first 10 holes.
The first true turning point of the back nine was when Kim was well out of position on the par 3 13, looking at a seemingly impossible shot. Chipping from behind the green and downhill, her ball hit the pin, slowing it down and likely saving her at least one stroke as she hit the ensuing putt. Kim went on to birdie the next hole and take control of the final round.
Kim went on to bogey the 16th hole, leaving the lead at one stroke over Korda and leading to the second major turning point of the back nine. On 17, Kim was once again out of position on a par 3, but this time it wasn’t luck that gave her a good look at par, it was pure skill. Kim hit a gorgeous chip from a bad lie while Korda hit a terrible par putt that should’ve been an easy make.
On 18, both players struggled a bit, hitting tee shots into the fairway bunker. Both managed a par, but for Korda it wasn’t enough.
Kim, the No. 8 ranked player in the world, now heads into the Ford Championship with loads of momentum as the defending champion.
About the Author
