Hyo Joo Kim wins wire-to-wire at Fortinet Founders Cup

Korda's late charge falls short as Kim holds on for one-shot victory

Mar. 23, 2026 at 2:10am

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Hyo Joo Kim of South Korea held off a late charge from Nelly Korda to win the LPGA Fortinet Founders Cup in Menlo Park, California. Kim led by five strokes after the opening round and maintained her advantage throughout, despite a late surge from Korda that saw the American pull even through 10 holes. Kim regained the lead on the 11th hole and ultimately won by a single shot, carding a 1-over 73 for a 16-under 272 total.

Why it matters

The Fortinet Founders Cup is one of the LPGA Tour's marquee events, honoring the 13 founders of the women's professional golf tour. Kim's victory marks her eighth career LPGA title and second win at this event, having also won in 2015 when it was held in Phoenix. The win also continues a strong start to the 2026 season for the 30-year-old South Korean.

The details

Kim led by five strokes after an opening-round 63 and maintained a four-shot advantage through 36 holes. Korda made a late charge, matching Kim's bogey on the 2nd hole and then birdieing six of the next eight to pull even. Kim regained the lead with a birdie on the 11th hole and the two traded bogeys on the 12th before Kim birdied the 14th to take a two-shot lead. Korda closed within one with a bogey on 17, but Kim was able to save par on the final hole to secure the victory.

  • Kim opened with a 63 on Thursday to take a two-shot lead.
  • Kim extended her lead to four shots with a 70 on Friday.
  • The final round was played on Sunday, March 22, 2026.

The players

Hyo Joo Kim

A 30-year-old South Korean professional golfer who has won 8 LPGA Tour titles and 14 KLPGA Tour events. This was her second victory at the Fortinet Founders Cup, having also won the event in 2015 when it was held in Phoenix.

Nelly Korda

A 27-year-old American professional golfer who has 6 LPGA Tour wins, including the season-opening event in Florida earlier this year. She finished one shot behind Kim at the Fortinet Founders Cup.

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What they’re saying

“I don't think I was necessarily shaken up or my emotions were all over the place. I was just trying to keep my focus on my shots and what I was doing.”

— Hyo Joo Kim

“Obviously, something like 17 stings, so it is what it is. It's golf. It's a quick turnaround. There is next week. So, just going to take all the positives.”

— Nelly Korda

What’s next

The LPGA Tour will continue next week with the Ford Championship in Phoenix, the event that Kim won last year.

The takeaway

Kim's wire-to-wire victory at the prestigious Fortinet Founders Cup demonstrates her continued excellence on the LPGA Tour, as she adds another title to her impressive resume. Despite a late charge from the talented Nelly Korda, Kim's poise and clutch play down the stretch allowed her to hold on for the one-shot win.