Kim Hyoju Returns After a Week Off as World No. 1 and 2 Skip the Tournament

World No. 3 Kim Hyoju is aiming for her third win of the season.

Starting on April 16, 2026 (local time), Kim Hyoju will compete in the JM Eagle LA Championship on the U.S. LPGA Tour, held at El Caballero Country Club (par 72, 6,679 yards) in Los Angeles, California. The tournament has a total prize fund of $3.75 million.

After a one-week break, the LPGA Tour resumes its season with this event. This tournament serves as a prelude to the season's first major, the Chevron Championship, which begins on April 23. The world's No. 1 and No. 2 players, Atthaya Thitikul from Thailand and Nelly Korda from the United States, will not be participating.

Kim Hyoju challenges for her third win of the season at the JM Eagle LA Championship. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

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Among the field in this tournament, Kim Hyoju holds the highest world ranking. Having already secured two victories this season, she is contending with Korda for the top spot in key categories such as Player of the Year, scoring average, and prize money. Kim currently leads in total wins and Player of the Year points (69 points). Korda leads in prize money ($1,118,718), scoring average (68.27), and CME points (1,326 points). With her main competitors absent, Kim has a strong opportunity to gain an advantage in the race for individual titles.

In addition to Kim Hyoju, 24 other Korean players will compete, including Kim Seiyoung, Choi Hyejin, Lee Somi, Lim Jinhee, Yoo Haeran, Ko Jin-young, Choi Woonjung, Lee Mihyang, Shin Jieun, and Yoon Yina. Jeon Inji, who finished fifth at last month’s Ford Championship, is currently ranked third in scoring average (68.88) and is signaling a comeback. Jeon achieved her first top-10 finish in two years and seven months since tying for eighth at the CPKC Women’s Open in August 2023.

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