Disappointment as Ko takes share of third, two shots behind winner
So close once again at a major for Lydia Ko.
The Kiwi has finished in a share of third at the Evian Championship in France, two shots from Brooke Henderson, who claimed her second major championship title.
For Ko it’s the fifth time she’s finished either second or third at a major since claiming her second title in 2016. For Henderson though her own six-year wait is over.
The Canadian ended a wild final round at the Evian Championship by rolling in an eight-foot birdie putt at the 18th hole to win by one stroke overnight.
Henderson was soaked in champagne by fellow players on the 18th green after an even-par round of 71 that saw her finish on 17-under 267 and ahead of Sophia Schubert, an LPGA rookie who was one of many to make a run at Henderson at Evian Resort Golf Club.
Five players were tied for third a further shot back: Mao Saigo (64), Ko (66), Charley Hull (67), Hyo Joo Kim (67) and Carlota Ciganda (68).
Henderson, who won the Women’s PGA Championship in 2016 at the age of 18, started the final round with a two-shot lead over So Yeon Ryu.
It was wiped out after the first hole thanks to a birdie from Ryu and a bogey from Henderson.
So began a crazy final round of the fourth major of year, featuring fourputts from Henderson and Ryu, a spectator picking up a ball that dribbled into the rough and landed by her feet and — at one stage on the back nine — a seven-way tie for the lead.
In total, there were 13 changes of leader, with Henderson only knocked out of it — briefly — when Schubert (68) made birdie at No. 12 to move on to 15 under.
Henderson held herself together and managed to keep pace with Schubert with birdies at Nos. 14 and 15.
The pair were tied for the lead after reaching the 18th, with Schubert playing in the group ahead of Henderson.
Schubert’s birdie putt came to rest barely an inch from the cup just after Henderson had a wild hook off the tee, only for the ball to ricochet off the trees and back out to the rough.
Henderson laid up and, from 107 yards, sent her third shot to 8 feet.
The birdie putt never looked like missing and Henderson bent her knees as the ball fell into the cup.
She was a major winner again.