While others stumbled, Lydia Ko maintained an iron resolve, demonstrating an impressive series of shots throughout the game, eventually securing the AIG Women’s Open title along with her Olympic gold medal. This 27-year-old Kiwi posted a final round score of 69, for a total under-par score of 281, earning her a two-shot lead over four other players, one of them being global champion Nelly Korda.
Throughout the final round, Leona Maguire encountered numerous challenges, though there were silver linings. The golfer from Cavan, who was crucial in Europe’s Solheim Cup teams in 2021 and 2023, managed an automatic slot in Suzann Pettersen’s squad for the next month’s trophy defence against the USA in Virginia.
Qualifying for her third Solheim Cup through the Rolex world points system, Maguire joined ranks with Céline Boutier, Maja Stark, Linn Grant, Carlota Ciganda and Madelene Sagstrom. Additionally, Charley Hull and Esther Heneseleit bagged spots directly from the LET Solheim Cup points table. Pettersen is set to round off her team with four wildcard captain’s picks, to be announced on Tuesday.
Despite scoring a final round 76 for 292, Maguire ended up tied-37th in the year’s final Major and is set to play at the forthcoming KPMG Irish Women’s Open at Carton House in Maynooth, Co Kildare, beginning this Thursday.
Ko’s triumph at the Old Course was exceptional as she chased her opponents, executing a host of decisive shots and finishing with style. Key highlights included her exceptional save from the 16th’s rough and her 3-wood strike, despite the torrential rain, in the infamous 17th hole, the Road Hole. A secure two-putt for par was followed by a birdie on the 18th.
Lilia Vu, the reigning champion, failed to force a play-off with a crucial 20-foot birdie putt on the 18th, focusing too much on the line that resulted in a short putt miss. This setback grouped her two shots behind along with Korda, China’s Ruoning Yin, and South Korea’s Jiyai Shin, who led after 54 holes.
Korda, alongside Vu, is set to regret a squandered chance, enduring a double-bogey seven on the 14th and a bogey at the Road Hole after her approach ended up in a bunker next to the green. These three lost shots turned out to be expensive.
“It’s the game of golf. I’m bound to make mistakes and regrettably, I made two punishing errors towards the end over the weekend. It’s plausible to say that it led to me losing the tournament, though I played well,” Korda expressed.
The triumph of Ko signals her third career Major title, having previously secured victories at the 2015 Evian and 2016 Chevron, supplementing her Olympic achievement. This translates to an incredible season. A cheque for €1.27 million accompanied Ko’s victory.
In response to which she treasured more at the trophy presentation, the Olympic medal or the Open trophy, Ko responded humorously, “It’s akin to asking, ‘do you favour your mum or your dad?’ They’re all remarkable in their unique ways!”