Hyo Joo Kim Wins Third Ford Championship in Dominant Fashion

When Hyo Joo Kim steps onto the Ford Championship course, other golfers know they're competing for second place. The two-time Olympian just won her third Ford Championship title in dominant fashion, finishing 28-under par at Whirlwind Golf Club in Chandler, Arizona.

Kim's final round 69 sealed her victory by two strokes over world No. 2 Nelly Korda. This marks Kim's first successful title defense and her second win in back-to-back weeks after claiming the Fortinet Founders Cup just days earlier.

The numbers tell a story of near-perfection. Kim shattered the tournament's 54-hole record by seven strokes and finished just three shots shy of the LPGA Tour's all-time 72-hole record of 257.

Perhaps most impressively, Kim never landed in a single bunker through all 72 holes. She drained a spectacular 50-foot putt on the 10th hole and averaged just 1.52 putts per hole, showcasing the putting prowess she'd emphasized before the tournament.

"It's super hard as a player to become a defending champion," Kim said after her win. "But I took the great energy from last week and carried that into this place here."

Even her closest competitor couldn't help but praise her dominance. "I'm done playing with her," Korda joked after finishing second to Kim for the second consecutive week. "Hyo Joo has been playing amazing golf. It's been really inspiring to see."

The Ripple Effect

Kim's success story extends beyond personal achievement. Her consistent excellence and gracious sportsmanship inspire fellow competitors to elevate their own games.

Korda, despite two runner-up finishes, remains motivated and hungry. With one win and two second-place finishes in three starts this season, she's chasing Kim as the second player to win multiple events this year.

New Zealand's Lydia Ko finished fourth at 20-under after opening with a blistering 60 in the first round. Ko credited conversations with Kim about putting technique for her improved performance, marking her third top-five finish in five starts this season.

The camaraderie among these elite athletes shows that women's golf is thriving not just in competition but in community. Players push each other to new heights while maintaining genuine friendships and mutual respect.

Kim's momentum carries her into next week's tournament, where competitors hope the change of scenery might finally slow her down. With her confidence soaring and her game firing on all cylinders, the LPGA Tour is witnessing something special unfold this season.