Lydia Ko completes New Zealand trifecta in Orlando
Lydia Ko – wins 20th LPGA Tour title – image Getty Images
Lydia Ko has completed a unique trifecta for New Zealand golfers this weekend by closing out the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions at Lake Nona in Orlando Florida, winning the opening event of the LPGA Tour season by two shots over Alexa Pano.
The victory comes on top of Steve Alker’s eighth PGA Tour Champions win in Hawaii yesterday and the victory by Kazuma Kobori in a PGA Tour of Australasia event also over the weekend.
Ko, who led into the final round by two, opened up a five-shot lead midway through the final nine but a strong finish by Pano closed the gap to just two.
For Ko, who resides at the Lake Nona estate, it is her 20th LPGA Tour victory since, and including, her win at the Canadian Women’s Open as an amateur in 2012 and takes her earnings on the LPGA Tour beyond US$17 million.
Ko, who also won her opening event of 2023 when successful in Saudi Arabia before her form deserted her for much of the year, appears back close to her best following a lot of work with her new Korean coach and a confidence-boosting win when pairing with Jason Day at the Grant Thorn Invitation in December.
Ko was asked her thoughts on her form turnaround after such a disappointing season for much of 2023
“I think the finish that I had last year, not only winning Grant Thornton but I played really well in Korea and in Malaysia,” said the 26 year old. “Maybe if I had found the keys that I found then a little earlier, maybe I could have had a better season.
“I think if you keep going down a spiral of thinking like what if, it’s endless. I worked hard in the two weeks leading up to this event. To win at home has been nice.
There were definitely nerves, but a little less just because it is my home course. To see so many of the members come out and clap and cheer me on, I think that was the best part of this week.
“I won last year my first event and kind of went sideways very quickly, so to not get too cocky. I’m playing next week in Bradenton and that’s a new golf course for me. I’m excited to go out there.
“It’s a short turnover, but maybe I can take all the goods from this week and take it to next week. Florida has been great to me so hopefully another good week next week.”
Grace Kim was the only Australian in the field and finished 29th in the 35-player field.
