Lydia Ko wins Women’s Open: Kiwi golfer wins third major title with emotional victory at St Andrews
Lydia Ko continues to tick off the milestones and the latest is a major one.
The Kiwi golfing great won her third career major with a two-shot victory in the AIG Women’s Open at the home of golf, St Andrews in Scotland.
It caps off a remarkable August for the 27-year-old who won gold at the Paris Olympics and secured Hall of Fame status two weeks ago. Unlike the Olympics, Ko had a big payday to go with the latest win, pocketing $2.28 million.
Today, she won her first major since 2016 and her maiden Women’s Open title to go with the Evian Championship in 2015 and Chevron Championship in 2016. Just the US Open and the PGA Championship elude Ko now.
As the wind continued to blow strong and even some Scottish rain fell, there was a four-way tie for the lead at one point before Ko surged home with a three-under-par 69 to finish two shots clear of the pack.
Ko sat in a three-way tie for the lead walking up the 18th and then birdied the final hole to move to seven-under. She then had to wait 34 minutes. Behind her was the world number one Nelly Korda and defending Women’s Open champion Lilia Vu.
Vu needed a birdie on the last to force a playoff and was in prime position after a monster tee shot. But her chip went over the pin and left a long putt that she couldn’t make.
Overnight leader Korda held a two-shot lead at eight-under through 13 holes but had a double bogey at the par-five 14th, which saw her move back to a three-way tie for the lead – and then a bogey at 17 ended her hopes.
Vu, Korda, China’s Ruoning Yin and Jiyai Shin of South Korea all finished in a share of second at five-under.
Ko was the leading amateur at St Andrews in 2013 and it seemed fitting she won her first Women’s Open at the famed course, along with the fact her caddie Paul Cormack is a Scotsman.
“It’s pretty surreal. Winning the gold medal in Paris a couple of weeks ago was almost too good to be true. Heading into this weekend I was in contention and I said ‘How is it possible for me to win the AIG Women’s Open?’. I’ve had the most Cinderella story this past few weeks and this is almost too good to be true,” Ko said at the trophy presentation.
“Of all the major championships, I think this one I had the least amount of confidence. I haven’t had as much experience playing on links and the results didn’t follow either. To be holding this trophy right now. I can’t believe it. It’s very special having my family this week here too.”
For Ko, it was a 28th professional victory and third of the year, including the Olympics. She said it was impossible to rank where this latest major sits with her previous two and the Olympic gold.
“It’s kind of like saying do you like your mother better or your father better. They’re all special in its own ways. Even the silver and the bronze were one of the biggest highlights of my career. I don’t know when I’m going to retire but I said before then, I want to win another major championship. That was my goal I set with my coaches. Here I am a three-time major champion. It’s so surreal. I’m so excited and I’m not sure it has sunk in yet.”
It’s the second time in three years a New Zealander has won a tournament at St Andrews after Ryan Fox claimed the Dunhill Links Championship in 2022. Ahead of the Women’s Open, Ko joked she’d go one-up over Fox because this one is a major.
She was also laughing on the course a number of times due to the windy conditions. “It was so windy, that I hit some shots and all I could do was laugh because I’ve never seen a ball react that way,” she added.
Ko began the final day three shots back from Korda and her only goal on the final round was to par the 11th and birdie the 18th, which she achieved. Ko made an early birdie at the par-four fourth hole to start one-under on the front nine, which over the weekend has been the easier nine at St Andrews. She made a strong start to the back nine with a birdie at the 10th before ticking off the par at the par-three 11th.
A third birdie at the par-five 14th closed the gap to one on Korda but it looked like Ko’s hopes had slipped away with a bogey on the 15th. She sat two shots back from Korda, who was standing on the tee at the only par-five on the back nine, an expected birdie awaiting her. But Korda found the back of the 14th green with her third shot and a chip up towards the hole rolled back off the edge of the green. She eventually walked away with a double-bogey seven, which opened the door for the rest of the field.
Ko had a brilliant approach into the famous Road Hole 17th, with the rain falling hard and a strong gust to deal with. With rescue driver in hand she struck her approach low and well-controlled to leave an almost 5m putt for birdie, which just fell short.
On the 72nd hole, Ko struck a brilliant drive to middle-right of the fairway and then followed that up with a superb approach which landed within 2m. It never looked like missing.
It’s been a stunning turnaround the last few months for Ko, who in May began the Women’s US Open with a 10-over 80 before missing the cut for the second straight week. That was followed by five straight rounds over par before she began to find form at the Dow Championship in Michigan with a second-round 62, followed by a 63 on the final day to finish tied 27th.
Ko opened the Evian Championship, the previous major, with a six-under 65 only to go backwards across the next three rounds, but carried that earlier form into the Olympics to collect gold and complete the set of medals.
She now gets a well-earned break after what must be the greatest month of her esteemed career, which came when some may have thought Ko’s best golf was behind her.
And any thoughts of a pending retirement from the game?
Ko will spend her time off mulling her future during a golf trip with her husband. She clearly isn’t sick of the sport just yet and why would you be after the three weeks she’s had?
Lydia Ko at majors
Cameron McMillan
Evian Championship - Won 2015
Chevron Championship - Won 2016
Women's Open - Won 2024
Women's PGA Championship - 2nd (2016)
Women's US Open - 3rd (2016)
Amazing to think, how close Ko is to a career grand slam. She lost the PGA Championship in a playoff to Brooke Henderson in 2016 and the same year at the US Open she held a two-shot lead with nine to play.
Cameron McMillan
Lydia Ko continues
Cameron McMillan
"I had two goals heading into today’s round. Make par on 11 and birdie 18 and I accomplished both. I was more excited that I had those two small wins for the day. It's a special place. I was fortunate enough to play here as an amateur in 2013 when Stacey [Lewis] won. I would never imagine 11 years later I would be in her shoes, especially with Stacey being someone I really respect and look up to. This makes it extra special."
Asked where does it rank compared to Olympic gold and other two majors:
It's kind of like saying do you like your mother better or your father better. They're all special in it's own ways. Even the silver and the bronze were one of the biggest highlights of my career. I don't know when I'm going to retire but I said before then I want to win another major championship. That was my goal I set with my coaches. Here I am a three-time major champion. It's so surreal. I'm so excited and I'm not sure it has sunk it yet.
Lydia Ko lifts the trophy
Cameron McMillan
"It's pretty surreal. Winning the gold medal in Paris a couple of weeks ago was almost too good to be true. Heading into this weekend I was in contention and I said 'How is it possible for me to win the AIG Women's Open?'. I've had the most Cinderella story this past few weeks and this is almost too good to be true."
"Of all the major championships, I think this one I had the least amount of confidence. I haven't had as much experience playing on links and the results didn't follow either. To be holding this trophy right now. I can't believe it. It's very special having my family this week here too".
Cameron McMillan
Lilia Vu then misses her par attempt and ends with a bogey. From what looked like a certain birdie spot from the tee.
Lydia Ko wins a third major
Cameron McMillan
Lydia Ko continues to tick off the milestones and the latest is a major one.
The Kiwi golfing great won her third career major with a two-shot victory in the Women’s Open at the home of golf, St Andrews.
It caps off a remarkable August for the 27-year-old who won gold at the Paris Olympics and secured Hall of Fame status two weeks ago. Unlike the Olympics, Ko had a big payday to go with the win pocketing $2.28m.
18th hole - Par four
Cameron McMillan
Vu misses.
18th hole - Par four
Cameron McMillan
Lilia Vu chips on but it flies by the pin and she has about 18 feet for birdie and force a playoff.
Lydia Ko looks a good chance for a third major.
18th hole - Par four
Cameron McMillan
Lilia Vu walks up the 18th fairway. She's in a fine spot for birdie, even eagle is a chance from here. Plenty of green to work with as well.
18th hole - Par four
Cameron McMillan
Huge drive for Lilia Vu. She gets a massive bounce off the path for a moment looked like she'd drive the green. A great look at the green from about 50 yards.
18th hole - Par four
Cameron McMillan
Onto the famous last hole at St Andews for Lilia Vu. Certainly a birdie hole. Short par four with a wide fairway. Vu made birdie at 18 yesterday.
And if it's a playoff, it will be back to the 18th over and over until we have a winner.
17th hole - Par four
Cameron McMillan
Lilia Vu for par. A must-make. And she gets it. Needs a birdie at the last to force a playoff.
17th hole - Par four
Cameron McMillan
Jiyai Shin for par from 20 feet and he goes wide right. Gave Vu a good look at the line. So a bogey for Shin and she drops to -4.
Lydia Ko waits
Cameron McMillan
Ko on the putting green going through a few drills in case there's a playoff. Signing a few autographs and trying to relax.
17th hole - Par four
Cameron McMillan
Jiyai Shin with her chip from the rough short of the green. Gets it within 20 feet.
All eyes on Lilia Vu now. A birdie attempt roughly 24 feet breaking right to left. But it's short. And leaves six feet for par.
17th hole - Par four
Cameron McMillan
Jiyai Shin well short of the green.
Now Lilia Vu. Not a bad effort. On the green and a long look to join Ko at -7.
18th hole - Par four
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Nelly Korda flies to far past the hole and has a 20-footer for birdie. She held a two-shot lead at -8 through 13 holes but the double bogey at 14 saw her move back to a three-way tie for the lead and then the bogey at 17.
Lydia Ko in the clubhouse at -7
Cameron McMillan
Ko finds her husband and mother and now must wait to watch the final players come in. Defending champion Lilia Vu the biggest threat.
17th hole - Par four
Cameron McMillan
Lilia Vu on the tee at the Road Hole and finds the edge of the fairway on the left. A good spot to be in the first cut.
Jiyai Shin crosses up and lands in the rough in the left.
18th hole - Par four
Cameron McMillan
Nelly Korda with a great drive. Will need to hole her approach to match Ko at -7.
16th hole - Par four
Cameron McMillan
Lilia Vu makes par at the 16th and remains at -6.
Cameron McMillan
Korda needs an eagle to force a playoff.
Bogey for Nelly Korda
Cameron McMillan
And Korda with the bogey at 17 moves to -5.
Cameron McMillan
Nelly Korda now with a crucial par putt at 17.
Lydia Ko moves to -7
Cameron McMillan
She has the outright lead as she birdies the last.
Lydia Ko for birdie and outright lead
Cameron McMillan
Can Ko move to -7 at the last? A great chance to move into the outright lead and put the pressure on the players behind her.
GOT IT
16th hole - Par four
Cameron McMillan
Lilia Vu and Jiyai Shin both land on the green at the 16th but face long birdie putts.
17th hole - Par four
Cameron McMillan
Nelly Korda out of the bunker but not very convincing as she forces it out to the right, leaving 15 feet for par.
18th hole - Par four
Cameron McMillan
Lydia Ko with her approach to the 18th green. Player partner Alexa Pano goes first. She's at -1 in a share of 10th.
Great approach from Ko. And she has about five feet for birdie!
16th hole - Par four
Cameron McMillan
Lilia Vu and Jiyai Shin both go left off the 16th tee. Both in the rough left, a popular spot as away from the bunkers and OB.
Jiyai Shin makes bogey
Cameron McMillan
Jiyai Shin drops to -5 so now a three-way tie for the lead.
At the 17th hole, Korda finds the green side bunker.
18th hole - Par four
Cameron McMillan
Lydia Ko tees off on the 18th and down the middle. She'll be the first of the leaders to walk over the Swilcan Bridge.
Cameron McMillan
And Nelly Korda misses her birdie as well. Three chances there for players to move to -7 and none drop.
Cameron McMillan
Lilia Vu for birdie at 15 and the ball rolls out!
Lydia Ko for birdie at 17
Cameron McMillan
A chance to go into the sole lead...Ko from 18 feet but it goes wide right.
Cameron McMillan
Jiyai Shin with a very long birdie attempt at the 15th, she's really on the third green as it's one of the massive double greens at St Andrews. It's low and short and leaves a long par putt.
Four-way tie for the leader
Cameron McMillan
Four players in the lead. All two-time major winners. It's windy and raining at St Andrews. What a setting for a close finish.
Lydia Ko has the rescue club with her approach to the road hole. Just as the rain pours down and she hits it fine. That's such an impressive shot in those conditions. Leaves a 12 footer for birdie.
Nelly Korda also with a birdie look at the 16th.
Ruoning Yin the clubhouse leader at -5
Cameron McMillan
Ruoning Yin just misses birdie the last and finishes at -5. She's the clubhouse leader. Two near birdies on the last two holes.
Cameron McMillan
All good drives by the leaders. Korda in fairway at 16. Shin at 15.
17th hole - par four
Cameron McMillan
Lydia Ko with the famous tee shot over the Old Course Hotel at 17. And she nails it, in the perfect spot middle fairway.
Lilia Vu joins the leaders
Cameron McMillan
Lilia Vu now at -6 with a birdie at the 15th. The defending champion and also a two-time major winner.
Pars for the leaders
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Jiyai Shin makes par at 14 and Korda also takes a four at the 15th.
Par for Lydia Ko at 16
Cameron McMillan
Ko makes the up and down for par and she heads to the famous road hole 17th.
14th hole - par five
Cameron McMillan
Co-leader Jiyai Shin in a fairway bunker and almost has to chip out sideways. So unlikely she'll pick up a shot at the par five as well.
16th hole - par four
Cameron McMillan
Lydia Ko's drive goes left but she gets a lucky bounce to avoid the bunker. Ball in the rough though. She misses the green but then chips on, gets the right bounce and has three feet for par.
Back at the 15th, Korda with a putt of at least 80 feet for birdie after almost missing the huge green.
Three-way tie for the lead
Cameron McMillan
So it's Nelly Korda, Lydia Ko and Jiyai Shin all tied for the lead. All three of them looking for a third major title.
That Korda double also opens the door for Ruoning Yin and Lilia Vu.
14th - par five
Cameron McMillan
Korda chips again and much better this time. Just goes by the hole. And she then misses the three footer for bogey. A double bogey for Korda and she's tied for the lead with Lydia Ko and Jiyai Shin.
14th - par five
Cameron McMillan
Korda with a poor chip. He doesn't get over the rise in the green and rolls back down to the fringe leaving her an uphill 15-footer for par.
Bogey for Lydia Ko
Cameron McMillan
Lydia Ko goes birdie-bogey after dropping a shot at the 15th. Two back now with three to play. All eyes on Korda now. Can she remain at -8?
14th - par five
Cameron McMillan
Korda from the rough flies her approach over the green and ends up behind the green. Tough spot but has plenty of green for an up and down to avoid bogey.
15th hole - par four
Cameron McMillan
Lydia Ko in a very deep bunker and gets her third on the green but now faces a lengthy par putt of around 15 feet.
14th - par five
Cameron McMillan
Korda's second from 280 yards out lands in the rough. Some pretty thick stuff there. Takes away her chance to attack the hole with her third.
14th - par five
Cameron McMillan
Nelly Korda with a huge drive on the par five. Top position in the fairway in the only par five on the back nine.
Birdie for Lydia Ko
Cameron McMillan
Ko -7 through 14
Ko makes the birdie at 13 and closes the gap to one on Nelly Korda. Korda a hole back but a long birdie attempt drifts wide and she taps in for par. Remains at -8.