After Lydia Ko finished 2023 winless on the LPGA Trip, she opened her 2024 period with a bang. She gained her 20th profession win at the Hilton Grand Vacations Event of Champions at Lake Nona Golf and Nation Club, her home program.
In doing so, she came to be simply the 5th lady in LPGA background to gain greater than $17 million throughout her remarkable profession.
Entering Sunday, Ko held a small lead over Alexa Pano. She carded a 2-under 70 to reach 14-under and win by 2 over Pano. However the competition was never ever truly unsure in the last round, as Ko remained in full control.
Today revealed a various side to Ko as she appeared like her old self. The New Zealander went bogey-free on Friday and Saturday to provide herself energy.
On Sunday, she taped 4 birdies and 2 bogeys, consisting of one on the 18th for a worry-free coating
Ko began her 2024 period preparation at the start of January. With this occasion at her home program, it was essential to her.
” There were certainly nerves, however a little much less even if it is my home program,” Ko claimed. “To see a lot of of the participants appear and slap and support me on, I assume that was the very best component of today.”
She came to be the simply 15th LPGA participant to tape-record 20 profession success. This accomplishment additionally suggests she is one factor far from getting approved for the LPGA Hall of Popularity.
” I believed 2 was close, and currently one is truly, truly close,” she claimed. “I’m appropriate before the door. I assume my way of thinking was, ‘Hey, I’m mosting likely to do all things I can do and attempt and do a great work of that.’ If it takes place, it takes place. Otherwise, simply not indicated to be in the Hall of Popularity.”
In spite of being so near this historical accomplishment, Ko intends to maintain the exact same way of thinking she constantly had.
” To provide myself a far better possibility of it currently after winning today is truly awesome, however ideally absolutely nothing modifications inside,” Ko claimed. “Attempt and play and remain to play strong golf and see where that places me.”
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Image by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Pictures
She might not have actually won an approved LPGA occasion in 2023, however Ko did win the unauthorized Aramco Saudi Ladies International, provided by the Public Mutual Fund. Ko additionally won the Give Thornton Invitational with Jason Day in December.
In 2014 revealed a great deal of ups and downs for Ko, however that success with Day provided her energy heading right into the brand-new year. There is a brief turn over for the 26-year-old as she will certainly tee it up in Bradenton, Fla., following week for the LPGA Drive On Champion.
Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf personnel author for SB Country’s Playing Via. For even more golf protection, make certain to follow us @_PlayingThrough on all significant social systems. You can additionally follow her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @savannah_leigh_sports.