After one round at the Fortinet Founders Cup held for the first time in the Bay Area, South Korea’s Hyo Joo Kim is in firm control after shooting an impressive -9 63.
Kim went out in the much easier morning conditions, and wasted no time. As can happen when one of the best iron players and putters is in top form, the stats got a bit crazy. So crazy that she only needed nine strokes with the putter on her front nine, where she shot a -5 31 with five birdies.
She slowed down a bit on the back, being only -1 on 10-16, but came back strong on the finishing stretch, making a birdie on 17 and then pitching in for eagle on 18 to shoot a back nine 32.
For the day, Kim had just 22 putts on a course that seemingly would benefit some longer hitters.
Kim is looking for her eighth career victory on the LPGA Tour. This is her third start of the 2026 season, where she already has a top-three finish and has been in relatively strong form. She leads fellow Korean, and young star, Dongeun Lee by two strokes heading into the second round.
If Kim has been the main star of the day, Sharon Heights Golf and Country Club in Menlo Park, California, has been a close second. The course is beautiful, dramatic and unpredictable and immediately is one of the best venues on the LPGA Tour. This should get a permanent spot on the schedule.
