A Lim Kim Holds Off World No.1 Korda to Win LPGA Season Opener at Lake Nona
South Korea's A Lim Kim secured a wire-to-wire victory at the 2025 LPGA Tour's Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, finishing at 20-under-par to defeat World No.1 Nelly Korda by two strokes at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club.
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Kim dominated throughout the tournament, opening with a seven-under 65 and following with rounds of 69 and 67. Despite Korda's final-round charge with a 65 that included nine birdies, Kim remained composed, making three crucial birdies in the final four holes to secure the win.
When asked about the pressure from Korda's challenge, Kim responded confidently: "Today, it was not my focus. I don't care." The victory marks Kim's second recent LPGA Tour win, following her triumph at the Lotte Championship in November.
Korda, who finished second at 18-under, remained positive about her performance: "I'm never going to complain finishing second in a tournament and giving it a run especially on a Sunday."
The rest of the field finished as follows:
- Linn Grant: Third at 15-under
- Minjee Lee and Jin Young Ko: Tied fourth at 14-under
- Lydia Ko: Sixth at 13-under
- Lauren Coughlin: Seventh at 12-under
- Rio Takeda: Eighth at 11-under
- Leona Maguire: Ninth at 10-under
- Ashleigh Buhai, Rose Zhang, Pajaree Anannarukarn, and Hyo Joo Kim: Tied for 10th at 8-under
In the concurrent celebrity competition, former NHL player Joe Pavelski won with 145 points, followed by Jeff McNeil (140 points) and Mark Mulder (138 points).