Jin-young claims first major title
LOS ANGELES: Reigning rookie of the year Ko Jin-young captured her first major championship on Sunday, holding off fellow South Korean Lee Mi-hyang to win the ANA Inspiration by three strokes.
The 23-year-old Jin-young finished in style by draining a long birdie putt on 18 for a two-under 70 final round in the first major of the season at the Mission Hills Country Club near Palm Springs.
“I won the tournament and that’s a happy moment,” Jinyoung said. “I thank God, I thank my parents, I thank my grandparents. It is an honour for me to join so many great Korean players. I’m honored to be here.”
Jin-young, who is in her second year, finished with a 10-under 278 total for her fourth LPGA title. She also won the Hope Founder’s Cup last month.
Jin-young celebrated her win by taking the traditional dip with her caddie Dave Brooker in Poppie’s Pond — the water hazard located off the right and back of the green on 18.
Mi-hyang finished alone in second after shooting a two-under 70 while American Lexi Thompson was third with a brilliant final round of 67 to reach a six-under 282 total.
Kim In-kyung and Carlota Ciganda, of Spain, tied for fourth at five under, five strokes back of Jin-young.
Not only is she the fifth South Korean to win here, Jin-young is the 15th in history to win a major. The only country that has more major wins is the United States.
“I can’t believe it,” said Jinyoung. “I was nervous on all my shots.”
Lexi also made a run at Jinyoung but her seven-stroke deficit was too much to make up.
“It feels amazing,” Lexi said. “I birdied the first hole and actually hit a ball out of bounds on number three but still managed to make bogey. My caddie helped out tremendously.”
In addition to the professionals, five amateur players competed in the event continuing a longstanding tradition of exemptions for top women amateurs.
Patty Tavatanakit, who is ranked third in the world, finished as the top amateur in the field after closing with a four under 68 a tie for 26th with nine others — including fellow Thai Pornanong Phatlum.