Kim Hyo-joo took a strong first step toward a second consecutive LPGA Tour victory.
Kim carded an 11-under-par 61 with one eagle and nine birdies in the first round of the LPGA Tour Ford Championship (total purse $2.25 million) at Whirlwind Golf Club's Cattail Course (par 72) in Phoenix, Arizona, on Sunday (Korea time), finishing in solo second place behind Lydia Ko of New Zealand, who shot 12-under.
Kim drew roaring cheers from the gallery with an eagle on the par-4 eighth hole, where her second iron shot landed on the green and rolled down the slope straight into the cup. She also showcased her sharp touch by sinking a birdie putt from approximately 7 meters on the par-4 fourth hole and another from roughly 13 meters on the par-4 ninth hole.
Kim is the defending champion of this event after winning it last year and is now bidding for a second straight title. She captured her eighth career LPGA Tour victory with a wire-to-wire win at the LPGA Fortinet Founders Cup last week, meaning a victory this week would give her back-to-back wins.
"I tried to play the way I did at this tournament a year ago, but the course conditions were different, so I had a tough time," Kim said after her round. "My short game worked well, which I think led to a good score." She added, "A lot of players posted low numbers, so I felt I need to stay focused through the final day."
Meanwhile, Lydia Ko, who claimed the solo first-round lead, shot a bogey-free 60 — just one stroke shy of the "dream 59" — collecting 12 birdies. "Toward the end of my round, the number 59 suddenly crossed my mind, but I didn't feel pressure to set a record," Ko said. "I recently switched putters, and it translated into a good result."
World No. 2 Nelly Korda of the United States shot a 9-under 63 for solo third, while China's Zhang Weiwei carded an 8-under 64 for fourth place. Esther Henseleit of Germany and Chien Pei-yun of Taiwan were tied for fifth at 7-under 65. World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand opened the tournament with a 3-under 69, tied for 53rd.