MENLO PARK, Calif. — Kim Hyo-joo held off Nelly Korda for a wire-to-wire victory within the Fortinet Founders Cup on Sunday at Sharon Heights.
His early five-stroke benefit disappeared after the tenth gap, and he regained the lead on the following gap, however a bogey within the closing levels resulted in a one-stroke victory.
“I do not suppose he was essentially upset or emotional,” Kim mentioned via an interpreter. “I used to be simply making an attempt to remain targeted on my shot and what I used to be doing.”
Kim Byeong-hyun marked a 1-over 73, making his complete rating 16-under 272. The 30-year-old Korean athlete additionally received the 2015 Phoenix Video games. She has received eight titles on the LPGA Tour and 14 on the KLPGA Tour.
Korda missed a brief par putt on the seventeenth and completed with a 69. The Individuals received the season opener in Florida after which skipped the Asian swing.
“Clearly, he was stung about 17 occasions, so that is what it’s,” Korda mentioned. “It is golf. It is proper down the stretch. We have subsequent week. So we’re simply going to take all of the positives.”
Korda tied Kim with a bogey at No. 2, then birdied six of the following eight holes to tie for the lead. Kim Byung-hyun made a birdie on the eleventh par-4 and made a comeback, exchanged bogeys with Korda on the twelfth par-4, and birdied the 14th par-4 to take a two-shot lead.
Kim Byung-hyun returned the stroke with a bogey on the sixteenth par-4, hit a protracted hit on the seventeenth par-3, then flopped to 2.5 ft from the deep tough to avoid wasting par. Korda missed a 3-footer on the seventeenth for a three-putt bogey, and Kim lastly bought the two-stroke benefit she wanted to advance to the 18th.
“I believe the 2 par saves on the again 9 are in all probability what I am most happy with right now,” Kim mentioned. “As a result of my shot wasn’t excellent.”
It was Kim’s first win in a yr for the reason that Ford Championship in Phoenix, which opens Thursday at Whirlwind Golf Membership. She bought off to a quick begin within the problem to Sharon Heights, holed out with a 63 for eagle on Thursday’s eighth gap and took a two-stroke lead. She prolonged her benefit to 4 with a 70 on Friday.
“I loved each day, however this course was fairly robust,” Kim mentioned.
Kim Sei-young (67) and Lim Jin-hee (69) tied for third place with 11 below. Chief Gino Titicle shot a 73 to tie for 14th place at 8 below.
The event started in Arizona in 2011 in honor of the 13 founders of the LPGA. Final yr it was held in Florida.
