South Korea’s Hyo Joo Kim went wire to wire, holding off Nelly Korda to win the Fortinet Founders Cup by one stroke Sunday in Menlo Park, Calif.
Kim became an eight-time winner on the LPGA Tour, including this event in 2015 in Phoenix, with a 1-over-par 73 for a total of 16-under 272 at Sharon Heights Golf & Country Club, which hosted the event for the first time.
The 30-year-old had led by two shots after the opening round, four through Friday’s play and five after three rounds.
Ranked No. 8 in the world, Kim saw her five-stroke lead evaporate after 10 holes. She bogeyed Nos. 2, 8, 12, 16 and 18 to make for a dramatic finish. She countered with birdies at Nos. 6, 7, 11 and 14.
“I don’t think I was necessarily shaken up or my emotions were all over the place,” Kim said through a translator. “I was just trying to keep my focus on my shots and what I was doing. So I think was just trying to keep and lock in on that.”
Kim hit nine of 14 fairways and 12 of 18 greens in regulation, taking 30 putts.
“I think just in the back nine my two par saves were probably the things I’m proudest about today,” Kim said. “Just because my shots weren’t playing as well.”
Korda, ranked No. 2 in the world, entered the day in second place and stayed there after firing a 3-under 69 for 15 under for the tournament.
She bookended birdies at Nos. 2 and 17 with birdies at Nos. 3, 5, 6, 7, 9 and 10 to tie for the lead at 17 under, then carded a bogey at No. 12.
Korda missed a 3-footer on No. 17 for a three-putt bogey to drop to 15 under, which provided Kim with a two-stroke cushion as they went to the 18th hole.
“The front nine was great,” Korda said. “Kind of battled a little bit more on the back nine. Wasn’t really kind of producing as much as I was on the front nine. Obviously, something like 17 stings, so it is what it is. It’s golf. It’s a quick turnaround. There is next week. So, just going to take all the positives.”
Korda hit 12 of 14 fairways and 14 of 18 greens in regulation while totaling 32 putts.
South Korea’s Jin Hee Im (69 on Sunday) and Sei Young Kim (67) tied for third at 11-under.
World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand shot 73 and tied for 14th at 8-under.
–Field Level Media
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