Tavatanakit holds off Ko to win ANA Inspiration

Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit held off a stunning last-day charge from 2016 winner Lydia Ko to claim her first major victory in the ANA Inspiration.

The 21-year-old calmly closed with a bogey-free 68 at Mission Hills Country Club in California to complete a wire-to-wire win in the opening major of 2021. With an 18-under-par 270 total, Tavatanakit, pictured, won by two shots from Ko after the Kiwi signed off with a superb 62.

A group of four players, including Dane Nanna Koerstz Madsen and American Nelly Korda, tied for third on 11-under-par.

“It's amazing I'm still calm, there is some calmness in me,” said Tavatanakit, whose jump into Poppie’s Pond alongside her caddie Ryan Hogue was almost as impressive as her on-course performance.

“I just wanted it to be done since this morning, I didn't get a lot of sleep last night. But I meditated twice this morning. I knew it was going to be hard out here and I had to be really strong mentally.

“So it feels great to be a major champion. It still hasn't really sunk in yet the fact that I just turned 21 six months ago and now I'm a major champion in my rookie year. Just crazy.”

Ko’s 10-under-par closing salvo, which included an eagle and eight birdies, tied the lowest tournament round record, set by Lorena Ochoa in 2006.

England’s Mel Reid closed with a 67 to secure a tie for 14th spotonseven-underalongside compatriot Charley Hull (72). Northern Ireland’s Stephanie Meadow matched Reid’s lastday score to sneak into the top 20 on six-under, two ahead of the Republic of Ireland’s Leona Maguire (70).