Lydia Ko was playing on the LPGA Tour for the first time since winning the AIG Women's Open earlier this summer, and she dominated at the Kroger Queen City Championship in Ohio, earning her third victory of 2024. The New Zealander also won gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Ko finished at 23-under par on Sunday after shooting a bogey-free 9-under 63 with seven birdies and one eagle in the round. The Hall of Famer had just one bogey all week, recording her 134th bogey-free round on the LPGA tour since 2014.
The win was her 22nd LPGA victory and put an end to rumors of retirement.
Many had speculated that she might retire after winning the AIG Women's Open, but with the events of this week and what she said to Golf Channel's Amy Rogers after her win this week, it's hard to believe it's time for her to retire from professional golf.
“I think it's always been a goal of mine to achieve a career Grand Slam,” Ko said. “I thought it was so far-fetched. I feel like I'm already part of this fairy tale, so why not?”
This week marked her first consecutive winning weeks since 2016.
She joined Nelly Korda as the only two players to win three or more tournaments this season.
“It was pretty surreal,” she said.
“I've had three incredible weeks in Europe and now I have another three weeks off so I'm not sure how it's going to feel. I started the tournament strong and played well the first few days. I worked hard yesterday and played even better golf knowing Gino and the other girls weren't going to play bad golf. To end the round like this to close out a win is really special.”
Ko will now depart for Korea to compete in the KLPGA and will begin playing there immediately.
Gino Titikul shot a 2-under 70 to finish second behind Ko at 18 under. Helan Liu finished third at 17 under. Yuka Sasao shot a 7-under 65 to finish in sole fourth place at 16 under.
Nelly Korda and Chang Hyo Jun finished tied for fifth place at 14 under par.
Next up for the LPGA is the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship at Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers, Alaska.
Savannah Lee Richardson is a golf staff writer for SB Nation Playing Through. Follow us for more golf articles. Follow You can follow us on all major social platforms. You can also follow us on Twitter Follow Her Instagram account is @golf_girl_sl.
