SINGAPORE — Lydia Ko finally conquered the LPGA’s HSBC Women’s World Championship, clinching her first title at her 11th attempt with a dominant four-stroke win over Ayaka Furue and Jeeno Thitikul in Sunday’s final round.
The 2024 Olympic gold medalist and Women’s British Open champion overcame a middling start before finding her rhythm with a birdie on the par-5 sixth.
Ko added back-to-back birdies on Nos. 7 and 8, seizing control of the leaderboard from then on.
Despite dropping two bogeys after the turn, the world No. 3 closed with a solid 69, sealing a 13-under-par 275 total at Sentosa Golf Club.
“I dreamt last night that I won but then I woke up, and I was like, dang, it’s not real yet,” said Ko, who secured her 23rd LPGA title and her first victory since the Kroger Queen City Championship last September. “But I just wanted to focus on my game.”
“I started off really steady, and you know, didn’t really put myself in trouble that much. I think that was going to be the key for today.”
Ko’s previous best finish here was a lone second place in 2015.
“It’s exciting to finally add Asia’s major to my major collection,” the New Zealander said.
World No. 2 Thitikul…
