In a week where she turned 17 and was named in the world's top-100 most influential people, Lydia Ko has birdied the final hole to win her first LPGA Tour event as a professional.
Lydia Ko celebrates after her final putt to win the Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic. PHOTO: Getty ImagesThe seemingly nerveless Lydia Ko birdied the 72nd hole to claim her third LPGA Tour title, but her first as a professional, to beat Stacy Lewis and Jenny Shin by one stroke in the inaugural Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic.
The Kiwi teen made a six-foot birdie putt for a three under 69 moments before Lewis coolly holed a four-footer of her own to finish one stroke back of the youngster.
"The 18th hole I knew how loud the claps were and that I needed to get close and give myself a birdie chance," Ko said.
After beginning the day a stroke behind Lewis, Ko birdied three of four holes late in the front nine of the Lake Merced course to set the tone for the remainder of the round.
“It was just intense the whole way,” Ko said. “I made a couple bogeys on the front nine and then I tried to kind of recover with some birdies.
“I still finished my front nine one-under-par, which I was surprised about that. At one point I had a two‑shot lead, but then Stacey made a birdie, Jenny made a birdie.
“I knew how loud the claps were, so I knew I needed to hit it close and give myself a birdie putt at the last.”
Ko earned $270,000 for her victory, celebrating on the 18th green three days after being serenaded by the gallery with ‘Happy Birthday’ for her 17th birthday
Ko now moves up two spots to No. 2 in the world ranking.
It comes at the end of a week in which Ko was named among Time magazine's 100 most influential people in 2014.
Ko celebrates with the trophy after her historic win. PHOTO: Getty ImagesThe teenager was listed alongside celebrities, politicians and famous faces including Beyonce, Pope Francis and Vladimir Putin. Ko was also one of just sportspeople featured in the list and the only professional golfer, male or female. The other sportspeople honoured were openly gay basketballer Jason Collins, NFL player Richard Sherman, tennis star Serena Williams and football icon Christiano Ronaldo.
Ko joins an elite field of women's golfers to make the Time exclusive Top 100 list. Previous golfers include Michelle Wie, Yani Tseng, Lorena Ochoa and Annika Sorenstam.
* For the final leaderboard, click here
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