Singapore: Ko Jin-young saved her best until last to win the HSBC Women’s World Championship by a two-shot margin over Minjee Lee and Chun In-gee.
The championship went down to the wire with world number one Ko tied with fellow Korean Lee6 Jeong-eun at 16-under-par as they headed to the 18th. Ice-cool under pressure, Ko birdied the last to close with a six-under 66 and 17-under total over the Tanjong Course at Sentosa Golf Club, a Facility Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.
With Lee6 finding a bunker on her second shot followed by the rough to the edge of the green, Ko knew she had done enough to add one of the most prestigious trophies in Asia to her tally of 12 LPGA Tour wins.
In her first tournament of the year, Ko extended her win percentage, notching a sixth win from her last 10 tournaments. In an all-time LPGA record, it was also her 15th consecutive score in the 60s.
Ko said: “I’m so happy. I feel amazing right now. It’s tough playing with two Korean players. They are amazing players. We are still close friends. It’s always hard to be playing in the last group, the last round with the Korean players.”
Minjee Lee propelled her way up the leaderboard, shooting the low score of the tournament, a nine-under 63, including seven birdies on the back nine.
Perth-based Lee said: “I hit it really well today. I had a lot of really close looks at birdies. Although I made two bogeys, I had 11 birdies. So don’t think I can really complain.”
Speaking about the return of a limited number of spectators to the course, Lee added: “I think everybody’s itching to get out. Just having some support on the golf course and around the 18th. I think it is really nice.”
Overnight leader Chun wasn’t able to repeat the form she showed on Saturday, signing for a three-under 69.
She said: “It was tough for me this week because I had a spasm in my neck. I’m not happy, but still I’m proud I made the top two. I tried my best. But Jin-young made some really good shots and good putts. She showed why she’s the number one.
“I really like Singapore. It’s one of my favourite countries and I love to play at Sentosa. The greenkeepers did a great job!”
Thai teenager Atthaya Thitikul got off to a storming start, making five birdies on the front nine to open up a one-shot lead over the chasing pack. But after the turn, birdie putts refused to drop and a bogey on the par-three 17th put paid to her victory hopes.
Tied in fourth place alongside Lee6, at 14-under par, Atthaya, winner of the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific over the same course in 2018, said: “I would say this week is pretty great. As I said all along, it’s not my A game but I would say it’s good enough for me having changed equipment, started on the LPGA Tour, and then everyone has an eye on me. The pressure was on me.
“It always feels amazing to be back in Singapore. I feel like home. All the winners, people, food, everything. I definitely want to come back here for many more years.”
Singapore’s Koh Sock Hwee finished with a 73 following a 71 in round three. Speaking about her fourth appearance in the HSBC Women’s World Championship, Koh said: “I didn’t start the tournament well. It was quite disappointing, because I felt good coming into the event. But I guess I made up for it over the weekend.”