New Zealand’s Lydia Ko took home the gold medal in the women’s Olympic golf event thanks to a two-shot victory at Le Golf National.
The 27-year-old began the final round in Paris tied for the lead alongside Switzerland’s Morgane Metraux but went onto the build a healthy advantage over the rest of the players, finding herself with a healthy five-shot lead on the back nine due to collapses from the likes of American pair Nelly Korda and Rose Zhang.
However, the two-time major winner’s lead was reduced to just one shot after 17 holes but a sublime seven-foot birdie at the par-five 18th meant that she carded a one-under 71 in the final round to end the event on 10 under and successfully claim her first ever Olympic gold after she collected the silver medal in Rio de Janerio in 2016 and bronze in Tokyo in 2021.
“I had the most unbelievable experience in my three times playing the Olympics,” said Ko.
“I kept telling myself, ‘I’m so proud of myself’. I don’t ever really say that. I feel like that’s a weird thing to tell yourself, but I kept saying I’m proud of myself no matter what happens. To be holding gold right now, it’s crazy. I can’t believe it.”
This triumph for Lydia Ko has helped bring her career total to the 27 points needed for induction into the LPGA Hall of Fame.
Germany’s Esther Henseleit hit a 66 in the final round to end the event on 8 under and win the silver while China’s Lin Xiyu collected the bronze, a shot further behind.
In the men’s event, Scottie Scheffler produced a sensational final-round performance to pip Tommy Fleetwood and secure the gold medal for the U.S.