Lydia Ko Dominates to Capture LPGA Queen City Championship Title

Lydia Ko blitzes rivals to win 22nd LPGA Tour title

 

Lydia Ko Dominates to Capture LPGA Queen City Championship Title

Los Angeles (United States) (AFP)– Lydia Ko delivered an electrifying performance on Sunday, clinching the US LPGA Queen City Championship with a stunning nine-under par 63, securing her victory by a commanding five strokes. This triumph adds to an already remarkable season, following her recent successes at the Olympics and the Women’s British Open.

 

Ko, representing New Zealand, entered the final round two shots behind Thailand’s Atthaya “Jeeno” Thitikul. However, she quickly turned the tide in her favor, showcasing her skill and determination. An eagle at the 11th hole marked the turning point of the tournament, allowing Ko to take control and ultimately finish with a remarkable total of 23-under par 265 at TPC River’s Bend, located near Cincinnati, Ohio.

 

The round began with Thitikul setting a strong pace, opening with both a birdie and an eagle on the front nine. However, as the day progressed, she struggled to maintain that momentum, particularly in the latter part of the round. In contrast, Ko’s game was nothing short of spectacular, featuring seven birdies and no bogeys, a testament to her precision and focus.

 

Reflecting on her recent achievements, Ko described the past couple of months as “surreal.” Her Olympic victory in Paris not only completed her collection of Olympic medals but also solidified her place in the LPGA Hall of Fame. Following this, she captured her first major title in eight years at the prestigious Women’s British Open held at St. Andrews.

 

“After having three weeks off, I was not entirely sure what it was going to be like,” Ko admitted. “But to have a round like this to cap off a win is pretty special.”

 

The day unfolded dramatically as Ko leveled the score with Thitikul by sinking a 15-foot birdie putt at the 10th hole. Moments later, she seized the lead with another impressive 15-footer for eagle at the 11th, taking a two-shot advantage as Thitikul failed to make the most of the par-five.

 

Thitikul, however, was not ready to concede just yet. She clawed back a stroke with a long birdie at the par-three 12th. But the competition took another turn at the 13th hole, where Ko’s exceptional second shot left her with an eight-foot birdie opportunity. Thitikul’s miss on the green resulted in a bogey, leading to a two-shot swing that further solidified Ko’s lead.

 

Ko maintained her composure, adding to her score with a birdie at the 15th hole and wrapping up her victory with a final birdie at the par-five 18th. Thitikul finished her round with a two-under par 70, which, while respectable, was not enough to secure her fourth LPGA title. The Thai star’s pursuit was hampered by bogeys at the 15th and 17th holes, ending her day at an 18-under par total of 270, which placed her in solo second.

 

South Korean golfer Ryu Hae-ran rounded out the top contenders, finishing strong with a five-under par 67 for a total of 271.

 

For Lydia Ko, this victory marks her third LPGA title of 2024. She kicked off her successful year with a win at the Tournament of Champions and has now extended her career total to 22 LPGA titles—seven more than any other active player on the tour. At just 27 years old, Ko’s resurgence has prompted her to reassess her career aspirations.

 

“It’s always been a goal of mine to achieve the career Grand Slam,” Ko stated, noting the two major titles still eluding her: the US Open and the Women’s PGA Championship. “I always thought that would be so out there, but now, given my recent successes, I feel like I’ve been part of this fairytale, so why not?”

 

Ko’s statement reflects her renewed confidence and ambition as she looks forward to the challenges ahead, ready to pursue further milestones in her illustrious career. With her current form and determination, fans and analysts alike will be eagerly watching to see what she accomplishes next on the LPGA Tour.