Just three weeks after securing a full set of Olympic medals with gold at the Paris Games, Lydia Ko has clinched a dramatic victory at the AIG Women’s Open, held at St Andrews’ historic Old Course. Ko’s stirring comeback performance delivered a fitting conclusion to the major championship season despite challenging weather conditions, a surprising collapse from world number one Nelly Korda, and some notably slow play.
The final day saw a thrilling shootout among the top names in women’s golf, with a gallery of 52,887 spectators witnessing an intense finish. Former world number ones Lilia Vu and Ruoning Yin were also in contention, but it was Ko who shone brightest. Despite strong winds sweeping across the famed links, Ko became the only leading contender to break 70, finishing with a three-under 69.
Ko’s victory ended an eight-year wait for her third major title, marking a glorious return to form for the 27-year-old. Her win at St Andrews was especially poignant, given the course’s storied history in golf. Ko had previously dominated the sport early in her career, becoming the youngest world number one in 2015 and securing her first major at the Evian Championship with a record 63. She added the ANA Inspiration title shortly after but had faced a series of ups and downs in recent years.
Reflecting on her journey, Ko spoke about the highs and lows of her career. “I’ve had my fair share of ups and downs between 2015, 2016 to 2024,” she noted. “When things are going well, it’s hard to think about when you’re not playing well because all you’re really doing is just enjoying that moment. And on the other hand, when things aren’t going well, you feel like you’re never going to get out of that lull. I’ve been in both of those positions.”
Ko’s Olympic gold medal win earlier this month secured her place in the LPGA Hall of Fame, making her the youngest ever to achieve this honor at 27. Despite this accolade, there had been growing sentiment that she had underachieved in recent years, a notion Ko’s latest major victory surely dispels.
The tournament also saw a dramatic fall from Korda, who had been in a commanding position but faltered on the final stretch. After a series of birdies around the turn, Korda’s challenge unraveled with a double bogey on the 14th hole, and she was unable to capitalize on a precise approach to the 16th.
Ko’s triumph at the AIG Women’s Open solidifies her return to the top of women’s golf and marks a remarkable end to her recent whirlwind of achievements.
