Kim Hyo Joo Achieves Milestone, Dominates LPGA Tour
South Korean golfer Kim Hyo Joo has shattered the $12 million career earnings mark, fueled by an impressive streak of back-to-back victories on the LPGA Tour. Her most recent triumph came at the Ford Championship, where she successfully defended her title, once again outdueling world No. 2 Nelly Korda.
Kim’s performance at the Ford Championship was nothing short of historic. She etched her name in the LPGA record books by becoming the first player to record multiple rounds of 61 in a single tournament. She achieved this remarkable feat in both the first and third rounds, propelling her to a new 54-hole LPGA scoring record of 191.
While she narrowly missed setting a new 72-hole scoring record, Kim’s overall performance was stellar. She finished the tournament at an astounding 28 under par. This remarkable score ties for the third-lowest 72-hole record in relation to par in LPGA history. The current record stands at 31 under par, set by Sei Young Kim at the 2018 Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic.
The stoic South Korean expressed her admiration for her competitor, even humorously asking Korda about the experience of winning consecutive tournaments. “I actually wanted to ask Nelly how it feels to win back to back,” Kim remarked, revealing that Korda is her favorite player.
This latest victory brings Kim’s career LPGA title count to nine. The Ford Championship win added $337,500 to her professional earnings. The previous week, at the Fortinet Founders Championship, she secured a larger prize of $450,000, underscoring her current hot streak.
The Ford Championship boasted a substantial prize purse of $2.25 million, with significant payouts distributed among the participating LPGA players.
Ford Championship 2026 Prize Money Payouts
The Ford Championship offered a lucrative prize pool for its competitors. Below is a breakdown of the earnings for players who participated in the event, reflecting the significant financial rewards available on the LPGA Tour.
- Winner: Kim Hyo Joo – $337,500
- Runner-up: Nelly Korda – Payout not specified in source
- Third Place: Payout not specified in source
- Fourth Place: Payout not specified in source
- Fifth Place: Payout not specified in source
The distribution of prize money continues down the leaderboard, with players earning progressively smaller amounts based on their finishing position. The total purse of $2.25 million ensures that a substantial number of players receive financial recognition for their performance.
Kim’s recent success highlights her exceptional form and consistent performance. Her ability to not only win but to do so with record-breaking scores demonstrates her dominance in the current LPGA landscape. The rivalry between Kim and Korda is shaping up to be a captivating storyline for fans of professional golf. As Kim continues to climb the career earnings ladder, her place among the LPGA’s all-time greats is becoming increasingly solidified. Her strategic play, mental fortitude, and unwavering focus have been key factors in her recent triumphs and her sustained success on the tour. The anticipation for future tournaments will undoubtedly be heightened, with spectators eager to witness if Kim can maintain this extraordinary level of play and further rewrite the record books.
