Lydia Ko begins her round today – photo Stuart Franklin Getty Images
New Zealand’s Lydia Ko made a bold late bid to win her second Amundi Evian Championship in Evian les Bains in France, a final round of 66 and a total of 269 (15 under) falling just two short of the eventual winner, Brooke Henderson.
Ko began the final round seven shots behind Henderson and appeared to be treading water until she reached the 9th hole which she birdied and then followed up with three further birdies before reaching the reachable par 5 last.
A stunning approach there left her 14 feet behind the hole and the putt for eagle would have given her a share of the lead at that point and with Henderson only just recovering from early round struggles back on the golf course, her chance to stake her claim for the title looked good.
The putt never looked like dropping however and eventually Henderson would birdie three holes late in her round including one at the last to win by one over LPGA rookie Sophia Schubert with Ko in a five-way tie for 3rd place.
Ko wins another US$283,000, the missed opportunity at the last costing her not only a potential chance at the title but a lot of money given that a two way share of second place would have yielded close to US$500,000.
“I knew that I needed to hole it,” said Ko referring to the missed opportunity at the last. “I think 18, the tee box is pushed forward, so I’m average to just above average in driving distance and I got driver, kind of chip 5-iron in.
“Obviously, some of the girls coming in are quite long hitters. If they do hit the fairways it’s a shorter one in.
“So, yeah, I knew that I needed to make it. Honestly, I hit a good stroke and the speed was right. Just under-read. It and I feel like it was very marginal today. Like some that were like a little high or a little low.
“You know, it’s like small things, right, that gets you to be the one hoisting the trophy, and then the one that’s finishing a few shots behind.
“So I think that was really it. Other than that, all I can do is be committed and hit good shots and good putts, and if they go in, great. If they don’t, can’t do anything about it.”
Henderson earns US$1 million for her victory, her 13th on the LPGA Tour and her second major.
“Amazing,” said a very relieved Henderson. “Like you said, it was a long day and I put myself in a position I didn’t really want to be in. Started off kind of poorly.
“But to be able to bounce back on the back nine really means a lot. To get that many birdies the last five holes or so was really big.
“Obviously to make that putt on 18 was just a huge relief so I didn’t have to play that hole again. Just super excited to have this trophy and to be a second-time major champion.”
Of the other Australasians Stephanie Kyriacou and Hannah Green tied for 31st, defending champion Minjee Lee was 43rd and Sarah Kemp 54th.
Brooke Henderson – 13th LPGA Tour trophy – photo Stuart Franklin Getty Images
