New Zealand teenager Lydia Ko birdied the 18th hole on Sunday for a one-stroke victory over Ryu So-yeon to win the US$1.4 million Marathon Classic and capture her fourth career LPGA title.
South Korean-born Ko fired a six-under-par 65 in the final round to finish 72 holes on 15-under 269 and, at age 17, become the youngest LPGA player to reach US$1 million in prize money.
“I hit the ball well and gave myself a lot of opportunities,” Ko said. “You have good chances when you get the ball on the green.”
Photo: AFP
South Korea’s Ryu, seeking her second title at the event in three years, sank a 25-foot birdie putt at the par-five 17th to match Ko for the lead.
However, the prodigy responded by landing her third shot five feet from the cup at the par-five 18th and sinking the pressure-packed putt to reclaim the lead.
“I knew I needed to make a birdie,” Ko said.
Ko, a portrait of calm composure on the course, could hardly watch as Ryu eyed an eight-foot birdie putt at 18 to equalize once again.
However, Ryu pulled the putt right of the cup and Ko was a champion for the second time this season, having claimed the Swinging Skirts LPGA crown in May.
“I can’t do anything about it. That’s what makes it so nerve-racking,” Ko said. “My heart was beating [so fast]. I thought she had a big chance to make the putt and get into a playoff.”
Ko birdied the third, fourth and par-three eighth holes, then began the back nine with another birdie to seize command, setting the stage for a birdie at 16 and the decider at 18 to end a bogey-free afternoon.
Ko won the Canadian Women’s Open titles in 2012 and last year as an amateur, then turned professional late last year before claiming her first LPGA crown as a pro two months ago.
Ryu settled for second on 270, with American Cristie Kerr third on 272 after a closing 67, but she finished with back-to-back pars, unable to make up ground when it mattered most.
“The last four holes was kind of the story of the tournament for me,” Kerr said. “I didn’t play the last two holes well all week.”
Malaysia’s Kelly Tan, Australian Katherine Kirk and South African Lee-Anne Pace shared fourth on 273.
American Mo Martin, coming off a victory in the Women’s British Open, shared seventh on 274 with compatriot Kris Tamulis, Sweden’s Pernilla Lindberg, Australian Lindsay Wright and Paraguay’s Julieta Granada.
Taiwan’s Candie Kung had a round of 70 to finish on 276 for a share of 15th, earning US$19,259.
Additional reporting by staff writer
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