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LPGA Tour: Hyo-Joo Kim breaks 54-hole record to lead Nelly Korda at Ford Championship as England's Mimi Rhodes impresses

Hyo-Joo Kim eyeing successful Ford Championship defence, back-to-back LPGA Tour titles and 72-hole scoring record after superb Saturday in Arizona; Nelly Korda four shots back with England's Mimi Rhodes third after nine-under third round; watch finale from 11pm, Sunday, Sky Sports Golf

Hyo-Joo Kim, LPGA Tour golf, Ford Championship (Getty Images)
Image: Hyo-Joo Kim leads the Ford Championship by four shots after three rounds and is eyeing up the LPGA Tour's 72-hole scoring record

Hyo-Joo Kim broke the 54-hole record on the LPGA Tour with an 11-under 61 taking the South Korean to 25 under at the Ford Championship and into a four-shot lead as she looks to secure her second title in as many weeks.

The 30-year-old broke the previous 54-hole record by one shot and now has Sei Young Kim's 72-hole high in sight, with her countrywoman taking 257 strokes to register a total of 31 under par at the 2018 Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic.

Kim needs to shoot 65 or better on Sunday to make history.

Kim won the Fortinet Founders Cup in California last Sunday, beating Nelly Korda by one stroke, and is now well placed to successfully defend the Ford Championship in Arizona after a stunning third round that featured nine birdies, an eagle and no bogeys.

She may have to shake off Korda again, though, with the American sitting in second spot on 21 under at Whirlwind Golf Club after carding a blemish-free, five-under 67 on Saturday.

Mimi Rhodes, LPGA Tour golf (Getty Images)
Image: England's Mimi Rhodes carded a nine-under Saturday at Whirlwind Golf Club

England's Rhodes stars at Whirlwind Golf Club

England's Mimi Rhodes is in five-way share of third place on 16 under after a superb nine-under 63, with the 24-year-old - a three-time winner on the Ladies European Tour in 2025 - mixing eight birdies with an eagle and a sole dropped shot.

However, at nine shots off the pace it will take something special from her and/or faltering from Kim and Korda for the 24-year-old to land a maiden LPGA Tour victory.

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Kim, who had seven consecutive one-putt greens on Saturday, said: "All round everything was great - putter, iron, driver, everything was as I would want it to go."

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Korda said: "Playing with someone like Hyo-Joo today, it didn't feel like that good of a round. She played unbelievable golf.

"Overall, I'm never going to complain about a bogey-free round and five under. It was solid.

"You see [Kim] make putt over putt over putt and hit really good shots, but you have to really remind yourself that it's just Saturday. There are still 18 more holes left."

Watch the final round of the LPGA Tour's Ford Championship live on Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event from 11pm on Sunday. Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream no contract with NOW.