Hye-Jin Choi and Hyo Joo Kim Hold One-Shot Lead into 2026 Dow Championship Final Round | LPGA Team Event Preview

The 2026 Dow Championship final round arrives Sunday at Midland Country Club with everything on the line. Hye-Jin Choi and Hyo Joo Kim hold a one-shot lead at 10-under after three rounds, but the four-ball format on the final day opens the door for dramatic charges.

The top of the standings stayed tight heading into Sunday’s four-ball finale.

Kim and Choi Brave the Elements to Lead

Hye-Jin Choi and Hyo Joo Kim posted the round of the tournament so far — a brilliant 62 in Round 2 — then held steady with another 69 on Saturday despite testing conditions. Their chemistry shows in the scores: consistent ball-striking from both players and timely birdies when one needed a boost.

You could sense the momentum building for the Korean duo. They head into the final round with the lead and the experience edge. Hyo Joo Kim’s major-winning pedigree and calm demeanor pair perfectly with Choi’s sharp iron play.

Course Conditions and Weather Report

Midland Country Club plays at 6,301 yards for the LPGA with a par of 70. The classic layout rewards precision over raw power — tree-lined fairways, well-placed bunkers, and greens that demand focus on Sunday.

Sunday’s forecast looks playable: highs in the mid-to-upper 60s to low 70s°F with light northwest winds around 5-10 mph and a modest chance of scattered showers. Conditions favor players who keep the ball in play rather than those who force aggressive lines. Expect scoring to dip into the low 60s for the hottest teams in four-ball.

How to Watch: Live Streaming & Telecast (Including IST)

Final round tee times run from approximately 7:45 AM to 9:45 AM EDT off the 1st and 10th tees.

• Golf Channel coverage begins mid-morning EDT.
• CBS carries the prime afternoon window, roughly 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM EDT.

For viewers in India (IST), that CBS window lines up perfectly around 10:30 PM IST — prime time for fans following the finish. Check your local listings or official LPGA streaming partners for international access. The event also streams on the LPGA Tour app and Golf Channel digital platforms in supported regions.

Fantasy Golf Tips for the Final Round

Four-ball rewards aggressive play and complementary skill sets. Here are angles worth considering:

• Choi & Kim — The safest floor. Their 62 shows they can go low together.
• Gina Kim & Yana Wilson — Young American firepower with something to prove one shot back.
• Nelly Korda & Olivia Cowan — Highest ceiling for a big Sunday charge. Korda’s ball-striking can carry a team.
• Lilia Vu & Alison Lee — Major winner Vu plus steady Lee gives them a balanced attack.
• Look for teams with recent hot putting — four-ball amplifies good days on the greens.

Small-league players may want to roster the leaders for stability. Grand-league chasers should sprinkle in Korda/Cowan or the Swedish pair for upside.

Key Player Battles to Watch

• Hyo Joo Kim’s Leadership vs. Youth Movement — Can the veteran steady the ship while Gina Kim and Yana Wilson try to seize their moment?
• Nelly Korda’s Star Power — The biggest name in the field sits outside the top 10. A low round from her could swing the entire leaderboard.
• Defending Champs Im & Lee — At five back, they need a 62-63 type effort. Their experience in this exact event gives them a puncher’s chance.
• International Flavor — Japanese, Swedish, and Thai teams lurk just behind. The global depth of this field makes for compelling Sunday drama.

Match Prediction: Who Wins the 2026 Dow Championship?

Choi and Kim enter as slight favorites. Their ball-striking consistency and proven low-round ability in this format give them the edge in a pressure-packed final round. However, four-ball is volatile — one hot putter or one mistake from the leaders can flip everything.

A narrow victory for Hye-Jin Choi and Hyo Joo Kim feels like the most likely outcome, but don’t be surprised if Gina Kim/Yana Wilson or a surging Nelly Korda duo forces a playoff or steals it outright. The margin could come down to a single putt on the 18th green.

The 2026 Dow Championship has already delivered memorable team moments. Sunday promises one more chapter written in real time under the Michigan sky.