South Korean star Ko Jin-young yesterday regained the world’s No. 1 spot, capturing her fourth LPGA title of the season at the BMW Ladies Championship in South Korea.
The tournament in the port city of Busan was the third Asian event in the US LPGA season this year, after stops in Singapore and Thailand in the spring.
Ko clinched the win to cash the winner’s check of US$300,000 in a sudden-death playoff, beating South Korea’s Lim Hee-jeong, who had been leading the tournament.
Photo: EPA-EFE WARNING: Excessive consumption of alcohol can damage your health.
It marked the fourth time that the 26-year-old had come from behind in the final round to win in her LPGA Tour career.
“It was my first playoff in my professional career, so my heart was fluttering,” Ko said in a televised interview after her win.
“I feel a little sorry for Hee-jeong, but I think I ended up being lucky,” she added.
Ko shot a bogey-free 64 to finish regulation with a 22-under-par 266, stretching the tournament into a playoff.
In the sudden-death playoff that began at the 18th hole, she came through with a hybrid shot and sank a short birdie putt to clinch the win.
“I knew Hee-jeong is a solid player and I thought I could secure second place if I played my best — so I was fairly relaxed,” Ko said.
“I did my best, but I do think it is an amazing win,” Ko said.
Lim, who did not have a bogey over 73 holes for four days, failed to come up with the final win.
With the victory, Ko reclaimed the top ranking from the US’ Nelly Korda, who did not play in Busan.
Ko first rose to world No. 1 in 2019 and held the ranking for the entire season last year — a streak of 100 consecutive weeks — but handed over the top spot to Korda in June.
Taiwan’s Min Lee shot a 71 to finish regulation with an even-par 288. She completed the fourth round in a nine-way tie for 61st place.
Additional reporting by staff writer
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and