Tranlate this title Hyo Joo Kim wins again and beats Nelly Korda in spanish

Hyo Joo Kim won for the second consecutive week on the LPGA Tour, again defeating Nelly Korda and successfully defending her title at the Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass, played at the Whirlwind Golf Club in Phoenix, Arizona.

The South Korean finished the tournament with a total of -28 (61-69-61-69), two points ahead of American Nelly Korda (-26). Kim took off around the 10th hole of the final day, making a close-range birdie while Korda failed to save par, opening a decisive gap. Despite a double bogey on the 8th hole, caused by a botched drive and an approach that ended in the desert after crossing the green, Kim managed the final round with composure, finishing with a 69 (-3). Korda, who started four shots behind, recovered ground but made key errors on the greens, including two short putts, still finishing with a solid 67 (-5), enhanced by an eagle on the 17th and a birdie on the 18th.

Hyo Joo Kim, results

This is Kim’s second consecutive career win against the same opponent: after resisting Korda’s comeback last week at the Fortinet Founders Cup, the 30-year-old South Korean once again demonstrated exceptional form, with two rounds of 61 and a high-level putting style. «I wanted to ask Nelly how it feels to win two in a row,» Kim said with a laugh, referring to the American’s five-match winning streak in 2024.

Benedetta Moresco played a strong tournament, finishing tied for 53rd with a total of -8 (72-66-74-68). After a rocky start, the young Italian responded with a strong 66 in the second round and a solid 68 in the final, confirming her place among the pros on the tour.

Carolina Melgrati, however, failed to make the cut, finishing three points behind after the first two rounds (71-70), two above the qualifying mark.

Kim’s victory represents the first back-to-back on the LPGA since Korda herself dominated in 2024, confirming the South Korean golfer’s strong moment at the start of the 2026 season. The tournament proved highly competitive, with very low scores on a course made fast and treacherous by the desert climate.

The LPGA Tour stops in Phoenix, Arizona, for its sixth event of the 2026 season: the Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass, scheduled for March 26-29 on the Cattail Course at Whirlwind Golf Club. The prize pool is $3 million, and the field is top-notch: eight of the top ten players in the Rolex Women’s Golf Ranking will compete for victory on a course that promises to be spectacular.

The Cattail Course, designed by Gary Panks and nestled in the Wild Horse Pass desert within the Gila River Indian community, is a classic American Southwest course. The Par 72 course features well-placed bunkers, tiered greens, and gentle elevation changes that test precision and strategy. The course, with its 500 acres of native vegetation and manicured fairways, is known for its technical challenges and unique atmosphere amidst cactus and desert landscapes.

At the center of attention is Korea’s Hyo Joo Kim, the defending champion fresh from last week’s Fortinet Founders Cup victory. Kim is defending her 2025 title and arrives in Arizona full of confidence. She’s joined by a veritable parade of stars: No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul, 16-time LPGA winner and 2024 champion Nelly Korda, as well as the likes of Charley Hull, Lydia Ko, Sei Young Kim, and Brooke Henderson.

The tournament also welcomes 25 of the 28 2026 rookies, including American Melanie Green (promoted by the Epson Tour), LOTTE Championship winner Youmin Hwang, and Japan’s Erika Hara. Two sponsor exemptions went to American amateur Asterisk Talley and Spain’s Carla Bernat Escuder, while Kate Villegas and Amanda Doherty earned their spots through Monday’s qualifying rounds.

Benedetta Moresco joins Carolina Melgrati, a 2026 rookie and former University of Arizona player. This is her first major appearance on the top tour after earning a card through the Qualifying Schools.

The field includes both past champions (2025 Hyo Joo Kim and 2024 Nelly Korda) and 22 of the top 25 ranked players, as well as Carlota Ciganda, Linn Grant, Anna Nordqvist, and Linnea Strom.