Kiwi Lydia Ko has extended her golden run, winning the Kroger Queen City Championship for her third victory in the last two months and fifth straight top-10 finish.
Since winning gold at the Paris Olympics last month, clinching her spot in the LPGA Hall of Fame, Ko has also captured her third Major crown at the British Open Championship and now her 22nd tour victory, overhauling overnight leader Jeeno Thitikul to win by five shots at Maineville, Ohio.
She carded an nine-under 63 to finish at 23 under for the tournament, after trailling Thitikul by two strokes entering the final day. Her round featured seven birdies, but was highlighted by an eagle three on the par-five 11th.
“It’s been pretty surreal,” Ko reflected. “I had the most unbelievable three weeks in Europe and after having another three weeks off here, I’m not entirely sure what it’s going to be like, but I started off this event really strong, playing well the first couple of days.
“I hung in there yesterday, and I knew Jeeno and a lot of the other girls aren’t going to play bad golf, so I’d try and play even better golf. To have a round like this cap off a win is pretty special.”
After a strong start to the year, Ko stalled for several months, with the Hall of Fame status so close to realisation. Victory at Paris saw her achieve that goal and now the rest of the schedule is open before her.
“I’ve had a fairytale over the past couple of months and, if I set my mind to it, maybe I can do it,” she said. “It’s always been a goal to do the career Grand Slam [all five Majors] — it’s so out there — but I feel like I’ve been part of this fairytale, so why not?”
With the British Open, the Evian Championship and ANA Inspiration (now Chevron Championship) already in her collection, Ko will have to wait until next year for another crack at the US Open and Women’s PGA Championship.
