A Lim Kim Triumphs at LPGA Season Opener Amidst Nelly Korda’s Fierce Challenge

In a thrilling start to the 2025 LPGA Tour, South Korea’s A Lim Kim secured a wire-to-wire victory at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions in Orlando, Florida. Kim delivered a stellar final round of 5-under 67, culminating in a total score of 20-under 268, finishing two strokes ahead of world number one Nelly Korda.

Kim’s performance was marked by remarkable consistency. She maintained her lead throughout the tournament, showcasing resilience and skill. In the final round, after Korda birdied the par-5 15th to tie for the lead, Kim responded decisively. She matched Korda’s birdie on the 15th, then seized control with a 20-foot birdie putt on the 16th, and capped her victory with a 25-foot birdie on the 18th.

Nelly Korda, coming off a seven-win season, demonstrated why she holds the top spot in women’s golf. Her final round charge included a birdie on the 15th that temporarily tied her with Kim. Despite falling short, Korda’s performance reaffirms her status as a formidable competitor on the tour.

This victory marks Kim’s third LPGA title, adding to her previous wins at the 2020 U.S. Women’s Open and the 2024 LOTTE Championship. Her triumph in Orlando not only underscores her talent but also sets a high standard for the season ahead.

The Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, featuring a select field of recent LPGA winners, serves as a prestigious kickoff to the season. Kim’s ability to hold off a late surge from the world number one highlights her readiness to contend at the highest level in 2025.

As the LPGA Tour progresses, fans can anticipate more thrilling performances from both Kim and Korda, as well as other top contenders, as they vie for supremacy in women’s professional golf.