Founders Cup triumph for Kim

A late birdie charge from Kim Hyo-Joo earned the South Korean a three-shot victory at the JTBC Founders Cup on Sunday.

Kim started the day two strokes clear of American Stacy Lewis, and while a slow start might have given Lewis some hope of catching up, the 19-year-old made five birdies in her final eight holes for a final-round 67 to secure a comfortable victory.

“I wasn’t concentrating on winning because I was playing with Stacy Lewis and as a rookie,” Kim said. “I just felt that by playing with her, I would learn a lot from her. I was just trying to make a good impression as a rookie.”

Lewis gave it her all, making four birdies on the back nine, but it wasn’t enough to stop a charging Kim.

“The way I played on the front, to think I could still be within a shot coming up those last few holes was pretty amazing,” Lewis said. “I’m proud of the way I hung in there.

“I was in three divots today in the fairway, so that didn’t really help things. Even when I did make some putts, she (Kim) made the putts to follow and she put a lot of pressure on.”

South Korean Lee Il-Hee grabbed a share of third place alongside Lee Mi-Hyang and Pornanong Phatlum with a six-under 66, while world No 1 Lydia Ko had her third straight 69 to tie for sixth at 15 under.

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