Lydia Ko caps a spectacular year by winning the 2024 AIG Women’s Open

Lydia Ko achieved another significant career milestone on Sunday at the renowned Old Course at St. Andrews. With a birdie on the final hole, Ko secured her third major victory, the 2024 AIG Women’s Open, in a day that will be remembered as one of the most exciting in recent history of women’s golf.

Despite challenging weather and fierce competition, Lydia Ko demonstrated her exceptional abilities, concluding a remarkable month that also included her Olympic gold medal win at the Paris 2024 Games.

A Sunday of intense emotions in St Andrews

The golfing spectacle that unfolded in St Andrews on Sunday was truly unparalleled. Lydia Ko began the day three strokes behind leader Jiyai Shin, who had established a commanding lead in the previous rounds. However, from the outset, Ko demonstrated her determination.

With a birdie on Hole 4, Lydia Ko reduced the deficit to the lead to two strokes, while Shin and Lilia Vu continued to battle for the top position.

The competition was intense, with the lead changing hands frequently. Nelly Korda joined the competition with a birdie on the fifth hole, tying for the lead with Shin and Lilia Vu. Lydia Ko, consistently in contention, remained one stroke behind the leaders, maintaining her prospects for victory.

The weather conditions had a significant impact on the day’s play. Rain and wind made every shot a challenge, and while some competitors were unable to cope with the pressure, Lydia Ko remained calm and focused:

“I think I just had a lot of fun and it was almost so windy that I hit some shots and all I could do was laugh, because I’ve never seen a ball react that way,” Lydia Ko said.

A birdie on the 10th hole brought her to within one stroke of the lead, and although a bogey on the 15th set her back, she was still in a position to succeed.

Decisive moments down the stretch

The final phase of the tournament was characterized by a series of pivotal moments. Nelly Korda, who had assumed the lead with a birdie on the 10th hole, had a significant setback with a double bogey on the 14th. This allowed Lydia Ko, Jiyai Shin, and Lilia Vu to achieve a tie at the top at 6 under par. As precipitation levels increased, the atmosphere on the course became noticeably tense.

Lydia Ko demonstrated resilience in the face of a challenging environment. A crucial par on the 16th hole maintained her competitive position, and a precise drive with her 3-wood into the renowned Road Hole (17th hole) secured another vital par.

She then proceeded to the 18th hole, where she was aware that a birdie would be necessary to establish a solid clubhouse score.

Lydia Ko demonstrated remarkable precision in her approach to the ball, placing it within two meters of the hole and successfully executing the putt, which brought her to 7 under par. From that point onward, the outcome of the competition hinged on the performance of her rivals.

Shin and Korda missed their opportunities on the 17th hole, leaving Vu as the sole contender for a playoff. However, Vu was unable to capitalize on her chance, missing a short putt on the final hole, resulting in Ko’s victory by two strokes.

A win that cements Lydia Ko’s legend

By winning her third major, Lydia Ko has not only added to her impressive list of achievements but has also consolidated her position as one of the great figures in women’s golf. This victory at St. Andrews, the site of the sport’s earliest recorded games, is especially significant for Ko, who joins the ranks of the most accomplished golfers to have won at this emblematic course.

Beyond the trophies, Ko’s victory at the AIG Women’s Open marks a significant milestone in an already distinguished career. At just 27 years of age, she has already achieved a level of success that places her among the best in the industry.

This victory, following a lengthy interval since her last major in 2016, exemplifies her capacity to perform at the highest level in challenging circumstances and under significant pressure.

In her post-victory comments, Lydia Ko stated:

“It is a dream come true to win here at St. Andrews. This place is special, and to achieve it in these conditions makes it even more memorable.”

Undoubtedly, this win at the AIG Women’s Open will be remembered as one of the great moments in the career of Lydia Ko, who continues to establish herself as a prominent figure in the history of golf.