A Lim Kim resisted pressure from Nelly Korda to win the LPGA season opener at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions.
Kim responded to a late charge from Korda with three birdies on her final four holes for a 5-under 67 and a two-shot victory on Sunday in Orlando.
Korda, coming off a seven-win season, holed a three-foot birdie putt on the par-5 15th to tie for the lead.
But Kim was in the final group behind her and matched that birdie to retake the lead.
Kim seized control with a 20-foot birdie putt on the 16th for a two-shot lead, and she capped off her wire-to-wire win with a 25-foot birdie putt on the 18th.
“So fun, so good. And then I’m hungry,” Kim said when asked to describe how she was feeling.
A Lim Kim waves to crowd after finishing the ninth hole during the final round of the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions LPGA golf tournament in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Kevin Kolczynski)
Korda closed with a 65 at Lake Nona to start her season with a runner-up finish.
She had five birdies and a pair of bogeys on the front nine to peck away at the lead, and finally pulled even with her short birdie on the 15th – but only briefly.
“Not bad,” Korda said. “I’m never going to complain finishing second in a tournament and giving it a run, especially on a Sunday.
“There are definitely a couple putts I would like to have back, but overall I think I’m very happy with this week and excited for next week.”
Linn Grant of Sweden shot 69 and finished third, five shots behind. Minjee Lee shot 62 and tied for fourth with Jin Young Ko (65).
Nelly Korda finished runner-up after a final-round 65 (AP Photo/Kevin Kolczynski)
Kim, a 29-year-old South Korean best known for her 2020 US Women’s Open title at Champions Golf Club in Houston, now has three LPGA titles. This was her second straight win in which she never trailed after any round, having done the same in Hawaii last year.
She finished at 20-under 268 and won $300,000.
Korda and defending champion Lydia Ko started the final round four shots behind. Lydia Ko fell off the pace early with three bogeys in her opening six holes, and she never challenged again.
She shot 70 and finished sixth.
What’s next?
The LPGA Tour stays in Florida for the Founders Cup presented by the US Virgin Islands, where Rose Zhang is defending champion. Live coverage begins on Thursday from 4pm on Sky Sports. Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW.
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