CNN
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Lydia Ko completed what she described as a “Cinderella story” by winning the Women’s Open at St. Andrews on Sunday, just weeks after winning Olympic gold in Paris.
The 27-year-old New Zealander shot a final round 69 (three under par), including a birdie on the final hole, to finish her four rounds at seven under par, securing her third major title and $1.425 million in prize money.
Ko finished two strokes ahead of four players – world number one Nelly Korda, Yin Ruoning, defending champion Lilia Vu and Shin Ji-yai – who all finished in second place.
“It’s pretty surreal,” Ko said when the trophy was awarded. “Winning the gold medal in Paris a few weeks ago was almost too good to be true.”
“And of course, I was racing before the weekend and I was wondering, ‘How is it possible that I can win the Open?’ I’ve had a Cinderella-like story over the last few weeks and this is almost too good to be true.
“And of all the major championships, I think I had the least confidence in this one, simply because I didn’t have that much experience playing on links (courses) and the results weren’t that good. But now to hold this trophy in my hands is just incredible for me.”
Ko began the final round on Sunday three strokes behind South Korean Shin, who led after 54 holes, but she started her comeback with a birdie on the fourth hole.
However, a series of birdies by American Korda midway through her round moved her into the lead, continuing her excellent form this season. But a double bogey on the par-5 15th hole dropped her back, leaving Ko and Shin tied for the lead.
After a birdie by Vu on the 14ththso that four players were tied at the top of the rankings, although only four holes remained to be played.
Ko was the first of the quartet to reach the finish, securing a clubhouse lead of seven under par with her birdie on the final hole. And while she waited, her rivals fell behind.
Korda and Shin both made a bogey on the 17thth and Vu had the chance to force a playoff on the 18thth but a three-putt gave Ko the title.
After being two strokes behind before the start of the 16 strokes,th Hole, it was a dramatic end for Ko, who has had a successful few weeks after winning Olympic gold in Paris to complete her medal haul – she had won silver and bronze at the previous two Summer Games.
After the victory, Ko looked back on her career so far and the journey she had taken to get to this point, winning her third major title.
“I’ve had my fair share of ups and downs between 2015, 2016 and 2024. A lot has happened,” she said in her press conference. “When things are going well, it’s kind of hard to think about it when you’re not playing well because you’re really just enjoying the moment.”
“And on the other hand, when things aren’t going well, you feel like you’re never going to get out of that slump. I’ve been in both situations. And I thought, ‘You know what, I’m very lucky to be able to say that I’m a major champion, and a two-time major champion at that. I’ve got nothing to lose in that regard.’
“I remember my husband asked me last year, ‘Would you rather have our dog and not win another major?’ I said, ‘No, I want Kai.’ Because I’m really proud to say I won a major championship, like he’s the new love of my life.
“Even though I’m a golfer and winning a major is probably the biggest thing for all of us, I said, ‘I wouldn’t trade it,’ even if it guaranteed me my third major win. Now I can say I have both, which is pretty cool.”
