LPGA TOUR
Ko Wins Final Major of 2024 at St Andrews
New Zealand’s Lydia Ko scripted yet another unforgettable chapter in her storied career. The 27-year-old clinched her third major title in dramatic fashion, birdieing the iconic 18th hole at St Andrews to secure victory at the Home of Golf.
The road to triumph was anything but smooth on a blustery Sunday afternoon at the Old Course, Battling wet, windy, and bone-chilling conditions, Ko's perseverance was tested as the lead shifted hands multiple times during one of the most thrilling final rounds of the 2024 LPGA Tour season.
With four holes to play, the tension mounted. Ko steadied herself with pars on the 16th and 17th holes, setting the stage for a decisive finish. Arriving at the 18th tee, she knew a birdie would give her a fighting chance. After a perfect drive and a precise approach shot, Ko drained a six-foot birdie putt, posting a 3-under 69 on Sunday to reach 7-under and setting the clubhouse lead.
Ko waited nervously on the practice putting green for her rivals to complete their rounds. World No. 1 Nelly Korda and two-time Women’s Open champion Jiyai Shin both stumbled with bogeys on the penultimate hole. Only Lilia Vu had a chance to force a playoff. But when Vu shockingly three-putted on the 18th, Ko's two-shot victory was sealed.
The win was Ko’s third major title and first since earning the ANA Inspiration in 2016. The gold medalist at the recent Paris Olympic Games now owns 21 LPGA Tour victories.
Korda (72), Vu (73), Shin (74) and China’s Ruoning Yin (70) each took a share of second place at 5-under.
Grace Kim and Stephanie Kyriacou were the only players to make the cut from the seven-strong Australian contingent. Kim carded a 1-under 71 final round to get to 4-over for a T37 result. Kyriacou fell away on Sunday producing a 7-over 79 to drop back to 7-over for the event and finish in a tie for 60th place.
The LPGA Tour returns to US soil for next week’s FM Championship to be staged at TPC Boston.
Final Scores
1. Lydia Ko -7
T2. Ruoning Yin -5
T2. Nelly Korda -5
T2. Lilia Vu -5
T2. Jiyai Shin -5
6. Ariya Jutanugarn -3
Australians
T37. Grace Kim +4
T60. Stephanie Kyriacou +7
MC. Hannah Green
MC. Minjee Lee
MC. Hira Naveen
MC. Gabriela Ruffels
MC. Karrie Webb
