Ko wins second LPGA major

Lydia Ko has won her second golf major, claiming the ANA Inspiration in California.

Lydia Ko, of New Zealand

Lydia Ko holds a one-stroke lead at the first women's golf major of the year in California. (AAP)

New Zealand's Lydia Ko became the youngest player to win two LPGA major championships when she birdied the last hole to clinch the ANA Inspiration by one stroke.

For the 18-year-old world No.1, who closed with a three-under 69 at the Mission Hills Country Club in California to finish at 12-under-par 276, the win marked her second successive major title after claiming the Evian Championship last year.

"It was always my dream to play on the LPGA. Just being here was a dream come true," said Ko, who started the day one back of leader Lexi Thompson.

"For these amazing things to be happening is unbelievable but it also motivates me to work harder."

Britain's Charley Hull (69) and South Korea's Chun In-gee (70) finished a stroke back.

Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn (71) led late but bogeyed the final three holes to finish two strokes off the pace.

Teenager Minjee Lee carded a final round 71 to be the best of the Australians in a tie for 26th at four under.

Veteran Karrie Webb failed to break par in any of her four rounds in finishing 15 shots off the pace.

The season's first major looked headed for a playoff when Jutanugarn's bogey at the par-three 17th, where she pulled her tee shot badly, set up a three-way tie for the lead.

But Ko, who was coming off a win at last week's Kia Classic, would secure her 12th LPGA Tour victory by striking a precise wedge from 88 yards to set up a one-foot birdie putt.

Following her triumph, Ko took the traditional leap into Poppie's Pond next to the 18th green along with her mother, sister, caddie and caddie's fiance.

South Korean-born Ko was bogey free for the final round and made several crucial putts, including a pair of long birdies on the front nine and a solid par-save on the 13th to stay two shots back of Jutanugarn.

"I'm proud I was able to make those clutch putts, especially on the back nine," Ko said.

Jutanugarn, 20, made a red-hot start to her quest for a maiden LPGA Tour win as she carded five birdies and one bogey over her opening 11 holes.

But Jutanugarn was undone by a disastrous finish that saw her three-putt at 16, send her tee shot at 17 into a bunker before finding water on 18.

Thompson (73) finished three shots back of Ko in fifth place while defending champion Brittany Lincicome (74) finished 10 shots off the pace.


Share

3 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world