Kim Hyo-joo claimed victory at the LPGA Tour's Fortinet Founders Cup, a $3 million event.
Kim shot a 1-over-par 73 with four birdies and five bogeys in the final fourth round at Sharon Heights Golf and Country Club (par 72) in Menlo Park, California, on Sunday. She finished at 16-under-par 272, edging out Nelly Korda of the United States by one stroke.
It was a wire-to-wire victory, as Kim never relinquished the lead from the first day. The win, her first since the Ford Championship in March last year, marked her eighth career LPGA Tour title. Kim once again demonstrated her special connection with the tournament. She debuted on the U.S. stage after winning the 2014 Evian Championship as a non-member and captured her first title as an LPGA member at this very event in 2015.
Starting the day with a five-stroke solo lead, Kim failed to gain ground on the front nine, trading two birdies for two bogeys. Meanwhile, playing partner Korda cut four strokes to close the gap.
On the back nine, the two were briefly tied, but Korda dropped a shot on the par-4 12th hole and then missed a short par putt on the par-3 17th hole for another bogey, allowing Kim to restore a two-stroke cushion.
Kim bogeyed the final par-5 18th hole after landing her tee shot and third shot in bunkers consecutively, but the cushion was enough to secure the win.
Kim Se-young and Lim Jin-hee finished tied for third at 11-under-par, while Ryu Hae-ran ended tied for fifth at 10-under-par.