Hyo Joo Kim breaks the 54-hole scoring record at the LPGA Ford Championship with a commanding seven-shot lead entering the final round.
Hyo Joo Kim has positioned herself for a dominant victory at the LPGA Tour Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass in Phoenix, establishing a formidable lead heading into Sunday’s final round.
The South Korean golfer’s remarkable performance through 54 holes has set a new tournament record for scoring over three rounds. Kim’s 25-under par total places her seven strokes clear of second-placed Nelly Korda of the United States, who sits at 21-under par.
Kim’s Record-Breaking Pace
Kim’s 54-hole score represents the lowest cumulative total at this stage of the tournament, demonstrating her exceptional consistency and ball-striking throughout the competition. The Korean’s scoring rampage has effectively separated her from the rest of the field, with the gap to the chasing pack substantial enough to suggest a coronation on Sunday.
Behind Korda, a five-way tie for third place at 16-under par features Mel Rhodes of England, Chisato Iwai of Japan, Inbee Yoon of South Korea, Miyu Katsu of Japan, and Lydia Ko of New Zealand. This clustering of contenders ten shots behind Kim underscores the leader’s dominance rather than any competitive threat.
In Gee Chun, another South Korean competitor, holds sole possession of eighth place at 15-under, with Lauren Duncan of the United States and amateur Asterisk Talley of the United States tied for ninth at 14-under par.
Final Round Awaits
The Ford Championship concludes with final-round play on Sunday, though Kim’s substantial advantage suggests the real competition for second place may command greater attention as the tournament reaches its conclusion. The field faces the challenge of closing ground on a golfer playing at an elite level, with Kim’s record-setting pace indicating that par or better scoring will be required simply to maintain position relative to the leader.
Kim’s performance through three rounds reflects the precision and mental fortitude required to win on the world’s premier women’s professional circuit, with the final 18 holes representing a formality for the leader rather than a genuine battle.