Kim Hyo-joo earns 7th LPGA title in playoff
Kim Hyo-joo holds the champions trophy after the final round of the Ford Championship LPGA golf event, March 30, in Chandler, Ariz., U.S. AP-Yonhap
Kim Hyo-joo has claimed her seventh career LPGA title in a playoff.
Kim defeated former world No. 1 Lilia Vu on the first hole of the playoff to win the Ford Championship at Whirlwind Golf Club at Wild Horse Pass in Chandler, Arizona, on Sunday (local time). Kim cashed in $337,500 and has now surpassed $10 million in LPGA career earnings.
The two players ended up in the sudden-death showdown after finishing their 72 holes tied at 22-under 266. Vu was the 54-hole leader and Kim began the final round four strokes behind the American star. But Kim fired an eight-under 64 in the final round, including nine birdies, while Vu shot a four-under 68.
The two went back to the 18th hole for the playoff and Kim came out on top with a birdie.
This was Kim's first LPGA win since the Volunteers of America Classic in October 2023.
The 29-year-old is the second Korean player to win on the LPGA Tour in 2025, joining Kim A-lim, who captured the season-opening Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions in February.
Kim went out in 31 to grab control and picked up two birdies to start the back nine. She stumbled briefly on the 12th hole when she found water to the right of the green en route to a bogey on the par-five hole.
Kim Hyo-Joo plays her shot from the 18th tee during the final round of the Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass 2025 at Whirlwind Golf Club in Wild Horse Pass, March 30, in Phoenix, Ariz., U.S. AFP-Yonhap
But Kim made up for it by draining an 18-foot birdie putt on the 16th hole to break off a four-way tie for the lead. Another birdie on the par-five 17th gave Kim the lead before Vu also birdied the 17th and then parred the 18th to send the tournament into the playoff.
Kim hit an excellent approach to set up a six-foot birdie attempt. Vu missed her birdie putt from 15 feet away, and Kim sank hers to end the windy day in the desert. (Yonhap)