Ko scores major win in France

EVIAN-LES-BAINS, FRANCE Ko Jinyoung won the Evian Championship by two strokes in France on Sunday, cementing her reputation as a player for big occasions with her second major victory of 2019.

The South Korean seized control with a 15-foot birdie at the penultimate hole, where she perfectly read a sharply-breaking putt at the Evian Resort in Evian-les-bains.

She parred the last, before letting out a big smile, raising her arms in celebration and hurling her ball into the gallery.

Ko finished at 15-under 269, less than four months after claiming her maiden major title at the ANA Inspiration in the California desert. There are five official majors in women’s golf.

Kim (73), China’s Shanshan Feng (68) and American Jennifer Kupcho (66) tied for second at 13-under.

Brooke Henderson (70) of Smiths Falls, Ont., finished at 4-under, while Alena Sharp of Hamilton (68) wound up at 4-over.

The Evian was the first of backto-back majors — the Women’s British Open starts at Woburn on Thursday.

Meanwhile, in Memphis, Tenn., a potential blockbuster bout between Brooks Koepka and Rory Mcilroy turned instead into a technical knockout as the American Koepka clinched an emphatic three-stroke victory at the WGCST. Jude Invitational on Sunday.

Koepka sank a series of clutch putts and carded a 5-under 65 for his first victory in any of the four annual events that comprise the World Golf Championships series.

Koepka, who started the final round one stroke behind Mcilroy, finished at 16-under 264.

Mcilroy ended up shooting 71 and finished tied for fourth, a distant five shots adrift of Koepka.

Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., carded a 1-under 69 and finished at 3-under.