USA TODAY International Edition
Ko edges Kupcho in Evian
South Korean victorious in women’s major
EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France – Jin Young Ko admitted at the last major championship that she had a crush on Brooks Koepka. Now she’s doing Koepka-like things, winning two majors in the course of one season.
Before Sunday’s final round at the Evian Championship, Ko met former No. 1 Lorena Ochoa. Her caddie, David Brooker, was Ochoa’s longtime caddie and good friend. Ko had her picture taken with the Mexican icon and told Brooker that she looked into Ochoa’s eyes and could see that she’s special.
“I fall in love with Lorena,” Ko gushed after the round.
She joins legions of LPGA fans who feel the same, though in winning Evian, Ko managed to do something Ochoa never could.
As the South Korean flag came falling from the darkened sky via a parachutist late Sunday evening, Ko couldn’t help but break down in tears as her national anthem played.
Ko reclaimed her No. 1 position in the world at soggy Evian, staying patient in the rain as her compatriots faltered.
“I know they are my friends, like Hyo Joo (Kim) and Sung Hyun (Park) and me,” said Ko of her playing competitors on Sunday. “We know so much. So I thought last night I can do. If play really good, I can do win.”
Ko’s closing 67 put her at 15 under for the championship, two shots ahead of American rookie Jennifer Kupcho, Shanshan Feng and Hyo Joo Kim. Kupcho, winner of the inaugural Augusta National Women’s Amateur, carded the day’s low round, 66, for her career-best finish.
“I don’t think at Augusta I ever really felt nerves,” said Kupcho. “I’d definitely say over that putt on 18 I was kind of freaking out. I had to take a couple deep breaths as I was lining it up.”
Thing main thing on Kupcho’s mind Sunday was to make as much money as possible to secure her LPGA card for 2020. Mission accomplished as she banked $290,778 to vault up to 34th on the money list. The 2018 NCAA champion at Wake Forest, Kupcho is eight tournaments into her professional career.
Kim, winner of the 2014 Evian, looked firmly in control for most of the day until she wound up in a plugged lie in the bunker on the par-3 14th. Her second shot rolled back into the bunker and settled into one of her footprints. Kim went on to card a triple-bogey six and drop two shots back of Ko.
Ko, winner of the 2019 ANA Inspiration, capitalized on Kim’s misfortune, draining a 20-footer for birdie on No. 17 to take a two-shot lead into the 72nd hole.
South Koreans have won 10 of 21 LPGA titles this season, including three majors. Since the LPGA added a fifth major in 2013, South Koreans have won 16 of 34 majors.
Americans have won eight in the same period.
“It’s a disciplined course,” said Annika Sorenstam, a two-time winner here. “What I mean by that it’s not necessarily a bomber’s course. You have to put it in the right places here.”
It’s also a course that requires patience as the slopes and quirky bounces can test a person’s patience.
“You play this course and you feel like you should birdie, and when you don’t you start pushing,” said Sorenstam. “And pushing here is not a good thing.”
Korean players are, by and large, calculated players. And since many of the courses in South Korea are built in the mountains, they’re comfortable here in the French Alps.
Four South Koreans finished the top eight at Evian. South Koreans have won the Evian three times since it became a major seven years ago.
Ariya Jutanugarn finished fifth at 11 under while her sister Moriya tied for sixth.
Brooker caddied for a Frenchwoman at Evian’s first event 25 years ago. This marks Brooker’s fifth major title having now won two with Ko, two with Ochoa and one with Grace Park.
On Sunday morning, Ko canceled her flight to London. She will head out instead on Monday, bound for the AIG Women’s British Open at Woburn for the last major of the calendar year.
“I will rest,” she said of tomorrow’s plans.
Another big week awaits.