Hyo Joo Kim staged a stunning comeback to win the LPGA Ford Championship on Sunday at Whirlwind Golf Club in Chandler, Arizona, defeating Lilia Vu in a playoff.
Trailing by four shots entering the final round, the South Korean fired an 8-under 64, highlighted by nine birdies, to finish at 22-under 266 and force extra holes.
Vu, the overnight leader, carded a 68 and tied Kim with a clutch birdie on the par-5 17th and a par save on the 18th.
In the playoff on the par-4 18th, Kim’s precise approach left her a 6-foot birdie putt, which she calmly sank after Vu’s longer birdie attempt missed.
“The feeling was great today and I just thought one hole at a time, one birdie at a time,” said Kim through an interpreter.
The victory marked Kim’s seventh LPGA title and her first since October 2023, showcasing her resilience and putting prowess in a thrilling desert duel.
