A Lim Kim emerged as the champion of champions in Sunday’s LPGA Tour season-opener. She claimed her third LPGA victory by capturing the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, holding off Nelly Korda’s late charge.
The South Korean held the lead after every round at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club and took a three-stroke lead into Sunday. Korda briefly held a share of the lead after a birdie on the 15th, but Kim’s consecutive birdies on 15 and 16, as well as an emphatic birdie putt on the 18th, sealed the tournament at 20-under par. Kim was the only player to score in the 60s all four rounds, shooting 65-69-67-67.
Kim was unfazed by the charge and closing 65 from the world No. 1.
“Honestly, that was not my focus so I didn’t care,” said Kim, laughing.
“I think it’s a good start but that’s all. I’m going to focus on the next tournament.”
A Lim Kim
Korda, the LPGA’s 2024 Rolex Player of the Year, started the fourth round four strokes behind Kim before grabbing a share of the lead. She finished two strokes back in second place at 18-under, scoring 71-67-67-65.
“There were definitely a couple of putts I’d like to have back, but, overall, I think I’m very happy with this week,” said Korda.
Tournament of Champions rookie Minjee Lee fired a tournament-best 10-under 62 in the final round. The eight birdies and one eagle propelled her into a tie for fourth. The 62 is a new tournament scoring record at Lake Nona.
“If you’re hitting fairways and you’re hitting greens it’s a pretty easy game isn’t it,” Lee said.
Former professional hockey player Joe Pavelski won the celebrity Stableford competition. He prevailed over former winners of the event, including Hall of Fame pitcher John Smoltz and last year’s winner Jeff McNeil, a member of the New York Mets. Highly ranked amateur Asterisk Talley won the amateur Stableford competition.
Ranked outside of the top 50 of the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings before the tournament, Kim’s win will certainly propel her upward. It also sets her up for a good year.
“I think it’s a good start but that’s all,” Kim said. “I’m going to focus on the next tournament.”
Everett Munez