Lydia Ko ended an eight-year major championship drought by clinching a dramatic victory at the AIG Women’s Open held at St Andrews. The former world No. 1 overcame a three-stroke deficit in the final round at the historic Old Course, carding four birdies against one bogey in challenging weather conditions, ultimately shooting a stunning final-round 69 to set the clubhouse target.
Overnight leader Jiyai Shin, defending champion Lilia Vu, and world No. 1 Nelly Korda all failed to catch Ko down the stretch. Ko finished two shots ahead, marking her first major win since the 2016 Chevron Championship.
AIG Women’s Open: Final Leaderboard
-7 Lydia Ko (New Zealand); -5 Ruoning Yin (China), Nelly Korda (USA), Lilia Vu (USA), Jenny Shin (Korea); -3 Ariya Jutanugarn (Thailand)
Selected others: -1 Lottie Woad (England); +1 Charley Hull (England); +2 Georgia Hall (England); +4 Leona Maguire (Ireland); +6 Lexi Thompson (USA)
Vu had a chance to force a playoff but ended her round with a three-putt bogey, finishing tied for second with Shin, Ruoning Yin, and Korda, who let a two-shot lead slip away over the final holes.
How Ko Captured the St Andrews Throne
Ko opened with four under and quickly moved within one of the lead after birdying the par-four fourth hole, as Shin behind her stumbled with a bogey at the third. Korda added to the excitement with a remarkable birdie on the fifth hole, compensating for a three-putt at the sixth, and eventually reached the turn in 34, tied for the lead.
The American gained a brief two-shot cushion starting the back nine but then suffered a double bogey at the 14th, dropping her into a four-way tie along with Ko, Vu, and Shin, setting the stage for a thrilling finish. Ko’s remarkable approach shot on the 18th set up her closing birdie, securing her spot as the clubhouse leader.
Korda wrapped up her round with a level-par 72, and Vu’s hopes faded when she missed a crucial putt, confirming Ko’s victory, which left her emotional and overwhelmed with joy.
Ariya Jutanugarn finished four strokes back in sixth, while Casandra Alexander shared seventh with Mao Saigo and Akie Iwai. Woad’s final birdie lifted her into a share of tenth, earning her the Smyth Salver. Charley Hull struggled to make an impact, finishing T20, and Georgia Hall aimed for a spot on Europe’s Solheim Cup team but fell short after a 71.
Ko’s Heartfelt Reflection on Her Victory
Upon securing her win, Ko expressed her disbelief, stating, “It’s pretty surreal. Winning the gold medal in Paris just a few weeks ago felt like a dream. This championship has eluded me in the past, so to be holding this trophy is beyond belief.”
Korda reflected on her missed opportunities, acknowledging her regrets over the weekend and expressing determination to perform better in future tournaments: “I played solidly but understand that mistakes can happen.”
What Lies Ahead for Women’s Golf?
The Ladies European Tour is set to continue in Ireland with the KPMG Women’s Irish Open, while the LPGA Tour prepares for the inaugural FM Championship at TPC Boston. Golf fans can also look forward to the Curtis Cup at Sunningdale as Great Britain and Ireland face off against the United States, with the Solheim Cup scheduled for September 13-15, highlighting the prestigious events on the golfing calendar.
