Professional Kim Hyo-joo, who entered the race to win the LPGA Tour Ford Championship Presented by KCC, is seen playing with Carlota Ciganda in the final round. Photo courtesy = ⓒAFPBBNews = News1
[골프한국 하유선 기자] Kim Hyo-joo (28), ranked 9th in the world, who attempted to win the first championship of the 2024 season, had a difficult day in the champion group on the last day.
Hyo-joo Kim made 4 birdies in the fourth round of the Ford Championship (total prize money of $2.25 million), a new event on the LPGA tour held at Seville Golf and Country Club (par 72, 6,615 yards) in Gilbert, Arizona, USA on the 1st (Korean time). He hit a 1-under par 71 with one bogey and one double bogey.
Kim Hyo-joo, who recorded a final total of 16 under par and 272 strokes over the four days, tied for 8th place and had to be satisfied with her second top 10 score this year.
Kim Hyo-joo, who competed with Carlota Ciganda (Spain) and Sarah Schmelzel (USA), who were tied for the lead until the third round, on the final day, played well in the early stages. He made birdies on the 1st and 3rd holes (par 4) and was the first of the three to score 17 under par.
Nellie Korda and Lexi Thompson (USA) from the previous group came out on top, but Kim Hyo-joo, who neatly reduced 2 strokes in the first 9 holes, continued the race for the lead.
However, at the 11th hole (par 4), I encountered the biggest and most unexpected ambush. After going two-on in a hole where par or birdie was expected, he made a fatal putt mistake and lost two strokes at once.
There was a rare scene where Kim Hyo-joo, a putt powerhouse, hit 4 putts while losing concentration.
Kim Hyo-joo, who was pushed out of the race for the lead, added a bogey at the 15th hole (par 4) and fell out of the championship zone. With Nelly Korda’s victory almost confirmed, Kim Hyo-joo showed her strength at the last minute.
Kim Hyo-joo, who had fallen to around 20th place, re-entered the top 10 by dropping birdie putts in order at the 16th hole (par 4) and the 18th hole (par 5).
Kim Hyo-joo, who recorded 26-27 putts in the first to third rounds, recorded 30 putts on this day. 13 out of 14 fairways were hit, and 13 greens were hit.
/Golf Korea www.golfhankook.com /News Team news@golfhankook.com
