Hyo Joo Kim Fires 9-Under 63 to Lead Fortinet Founders Cup by Two

Hyo Joo Kim holed out for eagle on the par-5 18th at Sharon Heights to card a 63 and take a two-stroke lead at the Fortinet Founders Cup.

Hyo Joo Kim surged to the top of the Fortinet Founders Cup leaderboard on Thursday, carding a bogey-free 9-under 63 at Sharon Heights. Her opening round was punctuated by a hole-out eagle on the par-5 18th, providing a two-shot cushion over her nearest competitor. Kim navigated the tree-lined course in Menlo Park, California, without dropping a single stroke, despite admitting to early mistakes that required successful par saves. The South Korean star noted that she could not see the cup from her position on the final hole, only realizing the ball had dropped when she heard the gallery cheering.

LPGA rookie Dongeun Lee sits in solo second place after posting a 7-under 65. Like the leader, Lee recorded an eagle on the par-5 closing hole to solidify her position. The scoring conditions proved most favorable during the morning wave before the greens at Sharon Heights began to firm up and gain speed. As the afternoon progressed, the surface became increasingly difficult, making it a challenge for the later starters to stick approach shots close to the pins.

Leaderboard Pursuers and Statistical Highlights

Polly Mack of Germany and Jin Hee Im are currently tied for third place after shooting rounds of 6-under 66. Mack’s performance was highlighted by eight birdies, which helped her recover from a double bogey on the par-5 10th hole. The former University of Alabama player demonstrated high efficiency with her ball-striking, missing only two fairways and three greens throughout the day. Mack attributed her success to her offseason focus on wedge play, which allowed her to capitalize on short birdie opportunities.

Trailing the leaders at 4-under 68 are Gaby Lopez, Gemma Dryburgh, and Nastasia Nadaud. This trio managed the lowest scores among those who played in the more demanding afternoon conditions. Further down the standings, world number one Jeeno Thitikul opened the tournament with an even-par 72. Nelly Korda, returning to action after skipping the Asia swing following a 54-hole victory in the season opener, finished her first round with a 2-under 70.

Tournament History and Course Transition

The Fortinet Founders Cup serves as a tribute to the 13 original founders of the LPGA. This year marks the first time Sharon Heights has hosted the event, representing a significant move for a tournament that originated in Arizona in 2011. Last year, the competition was held in Florida as the second event of the LPGA season. The 2024 edition has attracted a premier field, including eight of the top 10 players in the women’s world rankings.

This week’s event serves as the starting point for a four-tournament stretch across the Western United States. This run of competitions is a critical lead-up to the first major championship of the golf season. Players are facing a layout that rewards accuracy off the tee due to the dense tree lines, a factor Kim highlighted as more satisfying than her closing eagle.

Strategic Play at Sharon Heights

Kim’s ability to keep bogeys off her card was the defining characteristic of her 63. While the eagle on the 18th provided the highlight, her early-round scrambles kept the momentum intact. The transition of the greens from the morning to the afternoon created a distinct divide in the field's scoring averages. While the early starters utilized softer conditions to attack pins, the later groups had to contend with a course that became progressively defensive.

Polly Mack’s reliance on her length and wedge accuracy allowed her to overcome the setback on the 10th hole. By hitting the majority of fairways, she maintained the angles necessary to use her short irons effectively. The presence of eight of the world's top ten players ensures a high level of competition as the field adjusts to the firming conditions in Menlo Park. With three rounds remaining, the focus shifts to whether the afternoon starters can find a way to match the low scoring established by Kim and Lee during the initial morning session.