Lydia Ko finished 2023 without a win on the LPGA Tour, but started the 2024 season with a bang. She earned her 20th career victory at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions held at her home course, Lake Nona Golf and Country Club.
This makes her the fifth woman in LPGA history to earn more than $17 million in an illustrious career.
Entering Sunday, Ko held a slim lead over Alexa Pano. She shot a 2-under 70 to reach 14 under, winning by two points over Pano. However, as Ko was in complete control, the outcome of the tournament was never in doubt in the final round.
This week, Ko looked like her old self and showed a different side. The New Zealander gained momentum with bogey-free performances on Friday and Saturday.
On Sunday, she had four birdies and two bogeys, including one on the 18th. Stress-free finish.
Ko began preparing for the 2024 season in early January. This event at her home course was important to her.
“I was definitely nervous, but it eased a little because it was my home course,” Ko said. “Seeing so many members come out and clap and support us, I think that was the best part of the week.”
She became the 15th LPGA member to record 20 career wins. Her accomplishment also means she is one point away from being eligible for the LPGA Hall of Fame.
“I thought two were close, and now one is really, really close,” she said. “I'm in the door. I think my mindset was, 'Let's do everything we can and make it work.' If it happens, it happens. If he wasn't, he wasn't going to be in the Hall of Fame. ”
Despite coming so close to this historic feat, Coe wants to keep the same mindset as always.
“It's really nice to win this week and give myself a better chance, but internally I hope nothing changes,” Coe said. “Try it out, keep playing solid golf and see where it stands.”
Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images
She may not have won a sanctioned LPGA event in 2023, but she did win the non-sanctioned Aramco Saudi Ladies International, hosted by the Public Investment Fund. Coe also won the Grant Thornton Invitational with Jason Day in December.
Last year was full of ups and downs for Ko, but the win against Day gave him momentum going into the new year. The 26-year-old's transition window is short, as she will compete in the LPGA Drive On Championship in Bradenton, Fla., next week.
Savannah Lee Richardson is a golf staff writer for SB Nation's Playing Through.If you want to know more about golf, please follow us. @_PlayingThrough On all major social platforms. You can also follow her on Twitter @SportsGirls and Instagram @savannah_leigh_sports.
