Kim Hyo-joo of South Korea celebrates after winning the Ford Championship on the LPGA Tour at Whirlwind Golf Club at Wild Horse Pass in Chandler, Arizona, on Sunday. (Getty Images)
Kim Hyo-joo of South Korea celebrates after winning the Ford Championship on the LPGA Tour at Whirlwind Golf Club at Wild Horse Pass in Chandler, Arizona, on Sunday. (Getty Images)

South Korean veteran Kim Hyo-joo has claimed her seventh career LPGA title in a playoff.

Kim defeated former world No. 1 Lilia Vu on the first hole of the playoff to win the Ford Championship at Whirlwind Golf Club at Wild Horse Pass in Chandler, Arizona, on Sunday.

The two players ended up in the sudden-death showdown after finishing their 72 holes tied at 22-under 266. Vu was the 54-hole leader and Kim began the final round four strokes behind the American star. But Kim fired an eight-under 64 in the final round, including nine birdies, while Vu shot a four-under 68.

The two went back to the 18th hole for the playoff and Kim came out on top with a birdie.

This was Kim's first LPGA win since the Volunteers of America Classic in October 2023.

The 29-year-old is the second South Korean player to win on the LPGA Tour in 2025, joining Kim A-lim, who captured the season-opening Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions in February. (Yonhap)