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Kim Hyo-joo gets eighth career LPGA Tour victory with Fortinet Founders Cup win

Published: 23 Mar. 2026, 17:59 Updated: 23 Mar. 2026, 18:53

Korean golfer Kim Hyo-joo competes at the LPGA Fortinet Founders Cup golf tournament at Sharon Heights Golf and Country Club in Menlo Park, California, on March 22. [AP/YONHAP]

Kim Hyo-joo won the Fortinet Founders Cup on Sunday, beating world No. 2 Nelly Korda by one stroke.

Kim finished at 16-under 272 at Sharon Heights Golf and Country Club in Menlo Park, California, on Sunday. She earned $450,000 for her eighth career LPGA Tour victory.

"This is where I won during my rookie year," Kim said after the competition. "It is meaningful to win again in the same place."

Kim entered the final round with a five-shot lead but struggled to maintain momentum. She made five bogeys, allowing Korda to erase the deficit after 10 holes with a series of birdies.

Korda tied Kim for the lead after a birdie on the 10th hole, completing a stretch of five birdies over six holes. Kim responded with a birdie on the 11th to regain the lead and stayed ahead through the back nine.

Kim’s lead was cut to one stroke after a bogey on the 16th. However, Korda also made a bogey on the 17th, allowing Kim to maintain the advantage heading into the final hole.

When asked how she stayed calm during the competitions, Kim credited sports imagery training, where she constantly pictured herself in the game, for helping her focus and stay grounded.

On the par five 18th, both players found a fairway bunker off the tee. Korda made par after failing to convert a birdie opportunity. Kim then secured the win by making two putts from close range.

Korean golfer Kim Hyo-joo poses with the tournament trophy after winning the LPGA Fortinet Founders Cup at Sharon Heights Golf and Country Club in Menlo Park, California, on March 22.[AP/YONHAP]

“Today took an unexpected turn, but I’m happy with the result,” Kim stated. "I didn't even think about winning, I just focused on the game until the end when I actually won."

Kim first gained attention on the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour and won the Evian Championship in September 2014 as a nonmember. She joined the LPGA Tour the following year and claimed her first title as a member at the Founders Cup in March 2015.

That tournament took place at Wildfire Golf Club in Phoenix, Arizona — a different venue from this year’s event. Kim was in contention with 41-year-old Stacy Lewis from the United States when her tee shot on the par four 10th hole landed near a tree with a beehive. She requested relief without penalty, but the request was denied, forcing her to play the shot.

Kim made a bogey on that hole but recovered with a birdie on the par five 15th and another on the par four 18th to secure the title.

She later won the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic in 2016 and has recorded at least one victory in each of three consecutive years starting in 2021. With wins at last year’s Ford Championship and this year’s Fortinet Founders Cup, she is now two victories away from 10 career LPGA titles.

"I already have one [trophy] at home, I can add this one too now," said Kim during a post-competition interview while admiring the trophy.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY KO BONG-JUN [[email protected]]