Kim was the only player in the field to shoot scores in the 60s in each round and reached an insurmountable 11 under par in the three-round event.

“You know, I really prepared for this, I really didn’t expect it right away, but I knew my game was better than last year,” Kim said, after claiming her fifth LPGA Tour victory.

Nordqvist was vying to win the tournament for the third consecutive year and also become the first player to collect multiple victories for 2017, having already won the Founders Cup in March.

RIGHT: In-Kyung Kim is the 7th South Korean player to win on the LPGA Tour so far this year. PHOTO: Hunter Martin/Getty Images.

“Just having the honour to back-to-back defend is quite amazing,” the 29-year-old Swede said. “I’ve had a lot of supporters cheering me on this week and I really appreciate everyone’s support. There is a little bit of pressure coming into it, but it’s just been fun.”

American Michelle Wie continued her run of good form after firing the low round of the day – a six under 65 – to finish in a tie for third, despite ongoing health issues.

FINAL LEADERBOARD

“It felt good today to go out there and crush all of it and keep building momentum,” Wie said. “I am going to take off next week. I’m still regaining my health back. Try to get back to 100 percent.”

Nordqvist's love affair with this event continues despite finishing runner-up. PHOTO: Hunter Martin/Getty Images.

Queensland’s Karrie Webb was Australia’s best and recorded her highest finish of the year, carding three solid rounds to finish in a tie for 17th.

The LPGA Tour now moves to Canada for the Manulife LPGA Classic where Minjee Lee finished runner-up in 2016.