H. Kim edges Korda for wire-to-wire Founders win

MENLO PARK, Calif. — Hyo Joo Kim held off Nelly Korda on Sunday at Sharon Heights to finish a wire-to-wire victory within the Fortinet Founders Cup.

Her opening five-stroke benefit gone after 10 holes, Kim regained the lead on the subsequent gap and ended up with a one-shot margin of victory after a closing bogey.

“I do not assume I used to be essentially shaken up or my feelings have been all over,” Kim stated by means of an interpreter. “I used to be simply making an attempt to maintain my give attention to my pictures and what I used to be doing.”

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Kim shot a 1-over 73 for a 16-under 272 whole. The 30-year-old South Korean participant additionally gained the 2015 occasion in Phoenix. She has eight LPGA Tour titles to go together with 14 KLPGA Tour victories.

Korda missed a brief par putt on No. 17 and closed with a 69. The American gained the season opener in Florida, then skipped the Asia swing.

“Clearly, one thing like 17 stings, so it’s what it’s,” Korda stated. “It is golf. It is a fast turnaround. There’s subsequent week. So, simply going to take all of the positives.”

Korda matched Kim with a bogey on No. 2, then birdied six of the subsequent eight to tie the lead. Kim pulled again forward with a birdie on the par-4 eleventh, traded bogeys with Korda on the par-4 twelfth and took a two-stroke lead with a birdie on the par-4 14th.

Kim gave again the stroke with a bogey on the par-4 sixteenth, then hit a flop from deep tough to 2 1/2 ft to save lots of par after hitting lengthy on the par-3 seventeenth. Korda three-putted for bogey on 17, lacking a 3-footer, to ship Kim to 18 with the two-shot benefit that she ended up needing.

“I feel simply within the again 9 my two par saves have been in all probability the issues I am proudest about immediately,” Kim stated. “Simply because my pictures weren’t taking part in as properly.”

Kim gained for the primary time in a yr for the reason that Ford Championship in Phoenix, the occasion that begins Thursday at Whirlwind Golf Membership. She began quick at difficult Sharon Heights, holing out for eagle on the eighth gap Thursday in a 63 that gave her a two-shot lead. She pushed the benefit to 4 Friday with a 70.

“I loved each single day, however this course was fairly robust,” Kim stated.

Sei Younger Kim (67) and Jin Hee Im (69) tied for third at 11 below. High-ranked Jeeno Thitikul tied for 14th at 8 below after a 73.

The event started in Arizona in 2011 as a tribute to the 13 founders of the LPGA. Final yr it was performed in Florida.