A Lim Kim reflects on her third LPGA Tour victory as she wins the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions by two shots

A Lim Kim secured her third LPGA Tour title with a confident performance at the 2025 Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions. Despite the high stakes, Kim remained composed throughout the event, showcasing not only her evolving game but also her calm, focused mindset.

Going wire-to-wire, Kim held off a charge from World Number one Nelly Korda on the final day to shoot a final round 67. With four rounds in the sixties (65, 69, 67 and 67), the 29-year-old was the first winner of the 2025 season winning by two shots at 20-under-par from Korda.

“Honestly, so fun, so good. And then I'm hungry,” Kim said with a smile, capturing the joy and simplicity of her victory. This win marks her second in just a few months, after winning the LOTTE Championship in November, highlighting a period of exceptional form fuelled by key changes to her game.

The 2020 U.S. Women’s Open Major winner has been working on altering her shot shape, transitioning from her natural draw to incorporating more fades, particularly within 130 yards. “All my career I’m a good draw player, but my inside 130-yard game was not too good,” she explained. “I felt a little uncomfortable because I’ve used the fade for only two weeks, but it felt better than the draw. I’m going to keep working hard on it.”

A Lim Kim aka Queen Kong

Nicknamed "Queen" by friends and fans – a title evolved from "Queen Kong" due to her impressive driving distance in her youth – Kim's confidence shone through, even when faced with stiff competition from Nelly Korda. She acknowledged keeping an eye on Korda's progress, enjoying the competitive spirit while staying focused on her own performance. “I watched her scoreboard, so enjoy together, ooo, make birdie, wow. And then focus again my game,” she said with characteristic simplicity.

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 02: A Lim Kim of South Korea celebrates on the 18th green after winning the final round of the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions 2025 at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club on February 02, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
A Lim Kim of South Korea celebrates on the 18th green after winning the final round of the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions 2025 at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club - image credit Julio Aguilar/Getty Images

Kim's decisive birdies on the 16th and 18th holes sealed her victory. “I saw exactly my line on 16, just trusted that and hit it,” she recalled. On the 18th, spurred by Korda's birdie, Kim remained undeterred: “When I saw Nelly birdie 18, I also thought to myself that I'm going to birdie this as well. Hey, let's go in.”

Her ability to maintain composure under pressure reflects her growth as a player. “I’m proud of myself that even though I was feeling discomfort, I attempted and went through with it,” Kim said, emphasising her resilience. Moving forward, she plans to focus on improving her approach shots within 140 yards and refining her short game.

Strong start to the 2025 LPGA season

Support from fellow Korean golfer Amy Yang has also been instrumental in Kim’s development. “She's my hero. When I was young, I watched her all the time,” Kim shared, noting that they often practice together in Orlando.

As she continues to evolve, Kim’s straightforward approach, competitive spirit, and dedication to self-improvement make her a formidable presence on the LPGA Tour. Her latest victory is not just a testament to her talent but also to her ability to adapt and thrive in the face of new challenges. Quite a start to 2025 and the 75th Anniversary year of the LPGA Tour.

View the full leaderboard from the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions here.