Hyo Joo Kim Crowned Champion at the Fortinet Founders Cup
In an exciting day at Sharon Heights, Hyo Joo Kim demonstrated her skill by securing a wire-to-wire victory at the Fortinet Founders Cup. After seeing his initial five-stroke lead reduced after ten holes, Kim regained the lead and ultimately secured the victory by a single stroke, despite a bogey on the closing hole.Kim completed the course with a round of 73 strokes, one over par, accumulating a total of 272 strokes, 16 under par. This victory marks the second triumph of the 30-year-old South Korean golfer in this tournament, as she was also crowned champion in 2015 in Phoenix. In her brilliant career, Kim has eight titles on the LPGA Tour and 14 victories on the KLPGA Tour. Nelly Korda, who was looking to snatch the title, finished with a round of 69 strokes. Korda, who won the inaugural tournament of the season in Florida, had a stumble on the 17th hole, which prevented her from getting closer to Kim.“I don’t think I felt really disturbed or that my emotions were out of control,” Kim commented through an interpreter. “I just tried to stay focused on my strokes and what I was doing.”
Korda tied Kim with a bogey on the 2nd hole, but then managed birdies on six of the next eight holes to tie for the lead. Kim regained the lead with a birdie on the 11th hole, traded bogeys with Korda on the 12th hole, and extended his lead to two strokes with a birdie on the 14th hole. Kim conceded a shot with a bogey on the 16th hole, but then executed an approach shot from the rough to save par on the 17th hole. Korda, for her part, had a bogey on the 17th after missing a three-foot putt, which gave Kim a two-shot lead that proved crucial.“Obviously, something like the 17th hurts, but that’s how it is,” Korda said. “It’s golf. It’s a quick turnaround. Next week is close. So, I’m going to take all the positives.”
Hyo Joo Kim celebrates after securing her victory at the Fortinet Founders Cup.
This victory represents Kim’s first triumph in a year, since the Ford Championship in Phoenix, an event that will begin on Thursday at the Whirlwind Golf Club. Kim started strong on the challenging Sharon Heights course, achieving an eagle on the eighth hole on Thursday with a round of 63 strokes, which gave him a two-stroke lead. On Friday, he extended his lead to four strokes with a round of 70.“I think in the final nine holes, my two par saves were probably what I’m most proud of today,” Kim said. “Because my shots weren’t working so well.”
Sei Young Kim (67) and Jin Hee Im (69) tied for third place at 11 under par. World number one Jeeno Thitikul tied for 14th place at 8 under par after a round of 73. The tournament, which pays tribute to the 13 founders of the LPGA, was held in Arizona in 2011 and last year was played in Florida.“I enjoyed every day, but this field was quite difficult,” Kim commented.
