SEOUL, March 23 (AJP) - Kim Hyo-joo secured her eighth career LPGA Tour title on Sunday, winning the Fortinet Founders Cup at Sharon Heights Golf and Country Club in California. The 30-year-old South Korean finished the tournament at 16-under 272, holding off a late challenge from world number two Nelly Korda to win by a single stroke.
The victory marks a historic return to the winner's circle for Kim at an event she first conquered as a rookie in 2015. By reclaiming the title 11 years later, she demonstrated a rare longevity in the professional ranks, earning $450,000 from the 3-million-dollar purse. The win follows her most recent triumph at the Ford Championship in March 2025.
Kim entered the final round in Menlo Park, California, with a commanding five-stroke lead. However, the closing 18 holes proved to be a test of endurance as she carded a 1-over 73, featuring four birdies and five bogeys. This uncharacteristic turbulence allowed Korda to narrow the gap significantly, briefly threatening the lead after the turn.
The tension peaked at the par-3 17th, where Korda recorded a costly bogey to give Kim a two-shot cushion heading into the final hole. Despite a closing bogey on the 18th, Kim finalized the wire-to-wire victory, marking the third consecutive season in which she has recorded at least one LPGA win.
Kim’s career has been defined by clinical precision and early brilliance. She first made history as a 19-year-old non-member at the 2014 Evian Championship, where she opened with a 10-under 61—the lowest round ever recorded in a major championship at the time. She eventually defeated Hall of Famer Karrie Webb to secure her first major title.
Since officially joining the LPGA Tour in 2015, Kim has amassed 22 worldwide victories, including 14 on the KLPGA and 8 on the LPGA. Known for possessing one of the most fluid swings in the game, she has consistently ranked among the world’s elite, finishing in the top ten of the season-ending money list in both 2023 and 2025.
Beyond individual accolades, Kim has served as a cornerstone of South Korean international golf. She represented the Republic of Korea at both the Tokyo and Paris Olympic Games and led the national team to victory at the 2025 Hanwha LIFEPLUS International Crown.
Kim will travel to Arizona next week to defend her title at the Ford Championship. Currently ranked eighth in the world, she has resurgent form, suggesting she remains a primary contender as the tour approaches the major championship season. Kim becomes the first player this season to lead a tournament from the first round through the final putt.
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