Nelly Korda grabs lead at Ford Championship with eagle

Defending champion Hyo Joo Kim sits two shots back after second round in Arizona

Mar. 28, 2026 at 8:49am

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Nelly Korda fired a 7-under 65 in the second round of the Ford Championship in Chandler, Arizona, highlighted by an eagle on the par-5 12th hole. Korda's 36-hole total of 16-under 128 gives her a two-shot lead over defending champion Hyo Joo Kim, who followed her opening 61 with a 69. First-round leader Lydia Ko stumbled to a 71 and is tied for third at 13-under.

Why it matters

The Ford Championship is an important early-season event on the LPGA Tour, with Korda and Kim among the top players in the world looking to get off to a strong start. Korda's eagle on the par-5 12th hole was a key moment that helped her seize control of the tournament.

The details

Korda made four birdies on the front nine and had one bogey at the par-3 sixth hole. She was 3-under for the day before her eagle on the 12th, where she reached the green in two and sank a long putt. Korda added two more birdies before closing with consecutive pars. Kim started slowly but eagled the same 12th hole and made two birdies on the back nine without a bogey.

  • Korda's second round was played on Friday, March 28, 2026.
  • Kim's second round was also played on Friday, March 28, 2026.

The players

Nelly Korda

An American professional golfer who has won 16 times on the LPGA Tour, including the Ford Championship two years ago.

Hyo Joo Kim

A South Korean professional golfer who is the defending champion of the Ford Championship.

Lydia Ko

A New Zealand professional golfer who held the first-round lead after shooting a career-low round of 60 on Thursday.

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What they’re saying

“Overall hit (it) really good off the tee. Took advantage where I could. Rolled in a nice eagle, too.”

— Nelly Korda

“I felt like I bogeyed holes I shouldn't have bogeyed in the beginning, so wasn't super happy about that. But I knew I had remaining holes and birdie opportunities, so I tried my best to lower my score in the back.”

— Hyo Joo Kim

“I just didn't really hole many putts today. I hit almost just the same amount of greens, so in that department I felt like it was solid. I was driving it pretty well.”

— Lydia Ko

What’s next

The third round of the Ford Championship will be played on Saturday, March 29, 2026, with Korda looking to extend her lead and the chasing pack trying to make a move.

The takeaway

Nelly Korda's eagle on the par-5 12th hole was a key moment that helped her seize control of the Ford Championship midway through the tournament. The American is seeking her 17th career LPGA win, while defending champion Hyo Joo Kim and first-round leader Lydia Ko will try to catch Korda over the weekend.