Living up to their billing as this year's two hottest players, Kim Hyo-joo and Nelly Korda of the United States delivered sizzling performances in the same group. Kim carded an eagle and nine birdies for an 11-under-par 61, good for sole second place, while Korda posted an eagle and seven birdies for a 9-under-par 63 in sole third. Lydia Ko of New Zealand claimed the lead with a 12-under-par 60, collecting 12 birdies, but the gallery's cheers and applause never let up in the group where Kim and Korda traded shot for shot. Their playing partner Lexi Thompson of the United States provided a stark contrast, finishing at 3-over-par 75 with three birdies, three bogeys and a triple bogey, tied for 136th. The three players combined for two eagles and 19 birdies on the day, making for an electrifying round.
At the LPGA Tour Ford Championship held Thursday at the Cattail Course of Whirlwind Golf Club (par 72) in Phoenix, Arizona, another group drew roars just as loud as the Kim-Korda pairing. It was the group featuring Yun Yi-na, South Korea's premier long hitter. The reason: four eagles — shots that cut two strokes at once — poured out of that group.
