A Lim Kim is back in the winner’s circle—and she did it in style.
With ice-cold precision and clutch putting, the 29-year-old South Korean held off a ferocious charge from Nelly Korda to capture the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, kicking off the LPGA’s 75th season with a statement win.
Kim fired a final-round 67 (-5), closing with three birdies in her last four holes to seal a two-shot victory at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club.
While Korda delivered fireworks with a seven-under 65, momentarily grabbing the lead on the 15th hole, Kim responded immediately—draining a birdie putt on 15 to snatch back control, then burying a 20-footer on 16 to extend her advantage.
By the time she rolled in a 25-foot dagger on the 18th green, the battle was over. Kim’s final score: 268 (-20), securing her third LPGA Tour title and a $300,000 payday.
“It was fun, it was beautiful,” Kim said.
“Towards the end, I saw the scoreboard and knew Nelly was birdieing, but I stayed focused on my game. I felt good and knew I still had birdie opportunities ahead of me.”
Korda’s Late Push Falls Short, But Sends a Message
While Kim lifted the trophy, Korda reminded the world why she’s the most dominant force in women’s golf.
The world No. 1, fresh off a seven-win 2024 season, went on the attack early, rattling off five birdies and an eagle in a furious Sunday charge.
Her 15th-hole birdie briefly put her in the lead, but Kim’s flawless response was too much to overcome.
“Not bad! I’ll never complain about a second-place finish, especially fighting all the way to the end,” Korda said.
“Sure, there were a couple of putts I’d like to redo, but overall I’m very happy with the week and excited for the next tournament.”
With this kind of form right out of the gate, expect Korda to be a problem for the LPGA field all season.
Leaderboard Wrap-Up: Big Names Make Early Statements
While Kim and Korda stole the show, several other LPGA stars made their presence felt in the season opener.
- Linn Grant (69) finished third, five shots back after a steady final round.
- Minjee Lee lit up Lake Nona with a stunning 62 (-10), tying for fourth with Jin Young Ko (65). Lee’s bogey-free 62 was her lowest LPGA round since 2022, marking an early return to form.
- Defending champion Lydia Ko couldn’t recover from an early collapse, making three bogeys in her first six holes. She settled for sixth place with a closing 70.
- Sepp Straka, the 54-hole leader, faded with a 72, proving just how relentless this LPGA field is.
Kim’s Resurgence: A Star Rekindled?
A Lim Kim is no stranger to big wins—her 2020 U.S. Women’s Open triumph remains one of the greatest breakout performances in recent history.
Now, with back-to-back wire-to-wire wins (following her 2024 victory in Hawaii), she’s cementing herself as a force to watch this season.
The LPGA is loaded with talent, but Kim has proven she has the nerves, ball-striking, and clutch putting to go toe-to-toe with the best.
Next Stop: The Founders Cup – Can Korda Strike Back?
The LPGA Tour now heads to Florida for the Founders Cup at Bradenton Country Club, where Korda won last year when it was called the Drive On Championship.
With Kim riding high and Korda already in peak form, this season is already shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent memory.
One thing is for sure: women’s golf has never been more exciting.