Lydia Ko emerged victorious at the HSBC Women's World Championship, securing her first title at the event with a commanding four-stroke win. The tournament, held in Singapore, marked the second of three events on the LPGA's initial Asian swing of the year. Ko's triumph came after a remarkable performance that saw her seize control of the leaderboard with back-to-back birdies on the 7th and 8th holes. This victory was particularly special for Ko as it was her first major win in Asia and her first title at this championship after 11 attempts.
Ko's previous best finish at the HSBC Women's World Championship was a second place in 2015, making this triumph a significant personal milestone. She expressed her joy, saying, "It's exciting to finally add Asia's major to my major collection." Her performance was steady throughout, as she noted, "I started off really steady, and you know, didn't really put myself in trouble that much. I think that was going to be the key for today."
Ayaka Furue and Jeeno Thitikul finished tied for second, three strokes behind Ko. Thitikul posted a score of 70, while Furue carded a closing 68, both finishing at nine under par. Jin Hee Im delivered the day's best round with a score of 67, concluding the tournament at seven under par, sharing fourth place with Gaby Lopez. Meanwhile, Charley Hull's hopes faded after a challenging final round of 74, finishing at six under par.
Ko's victory was not only a personal achievement but also a testament to her perseverance and skill. Reflecting on her journey to this win, Ko remarked, "I dreamt last night that I won but then I woke up, and I was like, dang, it's not real yet." Her dream became a reality as she lifted the trophy in Singapore.
The LPGA tour will continue its Asian swing next week at Hainan Island, China, for the final event in this leg of the tour. With Ko's impressive victory setting the stage, there is much anticipation for what lies ahead in the concluding tournament.
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