SINGAPORE — After 11 attempts, Lydia Ko triumphed at the LPGA’s HSBC Women’s World Championship with an impressive four-stroke victory over Ayaka Furue and Jeeno Thitikul in the final round on Sunday. This marks a significant milestone for the 2024 Olympic gold medalist and Women’s British Open champion.
Ko began the tournament with a slow start but found her stride with a birdie on the par-5 sixth hole. She continued her momentum by securing back-to-back birdies on the seventh and eighth holes, firmly positioning herself at the top of the leaderboard. Although she encountered two bogeys after the turn, Ko ended the day with a solid 69, resulting in a 13-under-par 275 total at Sentosa Golf Club.
“I dreamed last night that I had won, but then I woke up, and it wasn’t real yet,” Ko shared after achieving her 23rd LPGA title and her first since September’s Kroger Queen City Championship. “I wanted to stay focused on my game today. I started really steady and avoided trouble, which seemed to be the key,” Ko remarked.
Previously, Ko’s best finish at this tournament was a second place in 2015. “I’m thrilled to finally add Asia’s major to my collection,” the New Zealander expressed with delight.
Jeeno Thitikul, the world No. 2, made a strong attempt to catch Ko but fell short. Jeeno finished with a score of 70, tying for second place at nine under alongside Japan’s Ayaka Furue, who closed with a 68. The Thai golfer began aggressively, notching two birdies in the first four holes to trail Ko closely but was unable to sustain the pressure.
Charley Hull, who started the day just one stroke behind Ko, saw her chances diminish after a difficult 74, finishing in a tie for fourth at seven under. She shared this position with Im Jin Hee, who completed the day with an impressive 67, and Gaby Lopez, who closed with a 70.
The Singapore event is the second in a trio of competitions on the LPGA’s initial Asian tour of the year. The tour’s final event will transpire next week on Hainan Island, China.
