Three-time champion Jin Young Ko birdied six of her last nine holes Friday for an 8-under 63 and a two-stroke lead over four players in the LPGA Tour's Founders Cup.

Let this serve as a warning to her fellow competitors: As Nelly Korda starts the 2025 LPGA season, she says she’s carrying even more confidence than she had during her record-breaking 2024 campaign.

Ko, who is ranked No. 3 in the world, is also back at Bradenton Country Club, 4646 Ninth Ave. W., Bradenton. The LPGA Tour stop has a new name this year. It’s the 2025 Founders Cup presented by U.S. Virgin Islands.

A Lim Kim has opened the LPGA season with a wire-to-wire win at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions. She completed a wire-to-wire win.

Nelly Korda made a run at it, but A Lim Kim responded late, making key birdies on Nos. 14 and 15 to fend off the world's No. 1-ranked player and win the LPGA's 2025 season opener, the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions.

Nelly Korda nearly mounted an incredible comeback, but A Lim Kim refused to relent at the Tournament of Champions.

A Lim Kim won her third LPGA Tour title by going wire-to-wire at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions in Orlando, as Nelly Korda finishes second. Ryan Ballengee recaps.

To her credit, Korda raised her hand during the offseason, offering to be part of the process. While not on the official search committee, she will be included in a less formal way. The buy-in of the No. 1 player in the world, particularly one with the potential transcending star power of Korda, is crucial for whoever next takes the reins.