LPGA Record Falls Ahead of Nelly Korda as Record-Breaking Pace Pushes Toward More History
November 15, 2025, Belleair, Florida, USA: Nelly Korda tees off on the 11th hole during round three of the Annika LPGA, Golf Damen tournament on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 in Belleair. Belleair USA - ZUMAs70_ 20251115_zan_s70_011 Copyright: xLuisxSantanax Belleair USA - ZUMA0840 20251115_zan_s70_011 Copyright: xIMAGO/LuisxSantanax
November 15, 2025, Belleair, Florida, USA: Nelly Korda tees off on the 11th hole during round three of the Annika LPGA, Golf Damen tournament on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 in Belleair. Belleair USA - ZUMAs70_ 20251115_zan_s70_011 Copyright: xLuisxSantanax Belleair USA - ZUMA0840 20251115_zan_s70_011 Copyright: xIMAGO/LuisxSantanax
The Ford Championship is ready to break all the records. Lydia Ko almost broke a 25-year-old LPGA record with her round 1 performance. Thereafter, Hyo-Joo Kim did what Ko couldn't and has taken all the spotlight.
But what record did she break?
Hyo-Joo Kim broke the 54-hole record on the LPGA Tour with an 11-under 61 in the first and third rounds, leading to a new record score of 25-under 191.
Kim broke the 54-hole scoring record of 192 previously shared by Annika Sorenstam, Kim Sei-young, Nasa Hataoka of Japan, and Danielle Kang.
"Hyo-joo kept making putts one after another and hitting great shots," said world No. 2 Nelly Korda.
"I shot 5-under, but it doesn't feel like I had a good round. She played an unbelievable round."
Kim got things under her control after the excellent third round. She hit nine birdies, an eagle, and no bogeys and had a four-shot lead ahead of Korda.
On the other hand, Korda started the third round with a two-shot lead. As the round unfolded, she had a bogey-free 67. Even with all her consistency, she was behind Kim.
“I’m never going to complain about a bogey-free round and 5-under, so it was a solid one,” Korda said.
Last Sunday, Nelly Korda was beaten by Kim at the Fortinet Founders Cup in California. It was a difference of just one stroke in the end. Kim is now bent upon defending the Ford Championship in Arizona.
“Nelly is my favorite player,” Kim said. “It’s been great playing together. You know, it’s been great playing with her, competing with her, and it’s just been fun overall.”
A Two-Player Race
Kim and Korda are in a league of their own.
Lydia Ko, Minami Katsu, Chizzy Iwai, Ina Yoon, and Mimi Rhodes are all at least nine shots behind this duo.
The group is tied at third with a score of 16 under. Although Ko was off to a flying start, her performance faded away in the following rounds.
Similarly, Rhodes’ second round of 70 wasn’t impressive. Katsu, Iwai, and Yoon have performed well, but they are nowhere near the Kim-Korda duel.
In two consecutive tournaments on the LPGA Tour, Kim and Korda are battling it out to be No. 1. The two-horse race continues on Sunday.
Read more at Club Golf!
Written by
Avishek Sarkar
Edited by
Shraabona Sengupta