Olympic gold medalist Lydia Ko claimed her third major title and first in eight years with a two-stroke victory at the Women’s British Open at St. Andrews on Sunday.
The South Korean-born New Zealander shot 69 (three under par) and finished the Old Course with 281 (seven under par). Akie Iwai and Mao Saigo were tied for seventh place, five strokes behind, the best result among the Japanese in the field.
New Zealand’s Lydia Ko tees off from the third tee during the final round of the women’s British Open golf championship on the Old Course in St. Andrews, Scotland, on Aug. 25, 2024. (Kyodo)
Ko began the day three shots behind 54-hole leader Shin Ji Yai of South Korea, making four birdies, including one on the par-4 18th, with a single bogey.
“Winning the gold medal in Paris a few weeks ago was almost too good to be true,” said the 27-year-old Ko. “I honestly didn’t think it could be any better, and now I’m the winner of the AIG Women’s Open this week.”
New Zealand’s Lydia Ko holds up the winner’s trophy after winning the 2024 Women’s British Open golf championship at the Old Course in St. Andrews, Scotland, on Aug. 25, 2024. (Kyodo)
“Being here on the Old Course at St. Andrews obviously makes it very special.”
Shin struggled to score a 74, putting her in second place, tied with China’s Yin Ruoning and Americans Nelly Korda and Lilia Vu.
Japan’s Akie Iwai tees off from the 16th tee during the final round of the women’s British Open golf championship on the Old Course in St. Andrews, Scotland, on Aug. 25, 2024. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
A total of 19 Japanese golfers competed in the home of golf this time. Iwai achieved her best result at a major with a 69, while Saigo finished with a 72.
“It was a tough four days out there,” said 22-year-old Iwai, whose twin sister Chisato is also a professional golfer. “I managed to play patiently when I needed to. But to be honest, I wanted to compete.”
Mao Saigo of Japan tees off from the second tee during the final round of the women’s British Open golf championship on the Old Course in St. Andrews, Scotland, on Aug. 25, 2024. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
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