...NICE WORK LYDIA!! so proud of you: - Lydia Ko has completed a stunning first season as a professional golfer by snaring $1.9 million in Florida, the biggest single payday in womens golf history, and the first thing on her shopping list is a bag for her mum. The 17-year-old Kiwi golfer pocketed all the spoils, winning the LPGA Tours season ending Tour Championship in Naples early today (NZT) – her third victory in 26 starts this year – and also the Race to the CME Globe title, the tours inaugural season-long points race. Ko wins US$500,000 (NZ$630,000) for the tournament victory, achieved after a four-hole playoff, and a bonus of US$1m (NZ$1.26m) for winning the LPGA Tours equivalent of the PGA Tours FedEx Cup. Thats NZ$1.9m for her weeks work, more than doubling her entire seasons earnings which now sit at more than NZ$3.6m. When I saw that US$1m in the box, I was like wow, I wonder who the winner of that will be? Its amazing, she said. Ive never seen that much cash in one place before. This year has been awesome. Three wins, rookie of the year, its a huge honour for me. Ko said she tried not to think about the cash down the stretch. Even playing out there today I just set myself the goal to make myself as many birdies and just go out there and have fun. Im excited that the season is over but its been great. This has been a big year, a roller-coaster ride. Ive learnt so much this year, like these kind of playoffs – my first as a professional. Ive been learning a lot. I think next years going to be a fun year. Ko said one of the first things she would buy with her winnings was an expensive bag for her mum, Tina, who travels to most events with her and has caddied for her in the past. I would have got it for her anyway, she really deserves it and I wouldnt be here without her, Ko said. Earlier this year, when Ko won the Marathon Classic, the world No 3 become the youngest millionnaire in the tours history. Ko started the final round at the Tiburon Golf Club in a share of fifth at six-under par, three shots off the pace and slightly behind world No 1 Stacy Lewis in the Race to the CME Globes projected standings. After starting with three straight pars, the ice-cool Ko quickly moved into position to win both titles. She made birdies on the fourth, sixth and eighth holes which, coupled with some struggles from the leaders, saw her lead by one shot at the turn, over third round leader Julieta Granada of Paraguay and Spains Carlota Ciganda. Ko soon doubled that lead, getting to four-under for the day and 10-under for the tournament with a stunning approach to the par-four 13th hole. She stuffed her wedge to two feet and had no problems with the birdie putt. Crucially, up ahead of her, Lewis, who was No 1 heading into the week, and Inbee Park, who was second in the Race to the CME Globe, were struggling to make inroads on the leaderboard, which gave Ko a slight buffer in the overall picture. South Koreas world No 2 Park would finish well off the pace, putting her out of the race, while world No 1 Lewis, the American, couldnt get going all day and had to settle for a one-under 71 and a tie for ninth place. That meant Ko only needed to finish in the top three to claim the US$1m (NZ$1.3m) bonus, but she also had a tournament to win. Ciganda levelled with birdies at the 13th and 14th holes and Ko missed an eight-footer for birdie on the 15th, ensuring there would be a tight finish. It got tighter when Granada made three successive birdies at 13, 14 and 15, where she chipped in for a spectacular birdie, to join them at 10-under. Ko parred her way home and ensured a top-three finish, while Ciganda missed a three-footer for birdie at the 17th that would have clinched the tournament for the Spaniard. Instead, the three players headed back to the 18th tee for a playoff. All three parred the first time around but Granada was eliminated at the second hole when she missed a four-footer for par. Ciganda then missed a golden opportunity the third time around when she pushed a five-footer for birdie wide. It got worse for the Spaniard on the fourth playoff hole as she hit her second shot into the hazard. Moments earlier Ko had found the middle of the green and she two-putted for par and the title. Its yet another remarkable feather in Kos cap and her composure down the stretch was key. Shed been in contention plenty of times before, and won, but not with so much money on the line. Youd never have known, though. Ko said ahead of the final round: The more zeros the better I guess but I really dont think about it. Its not going to be a different to another LPGA event. Hopefully I hit a couple of good shots and the putting will be good, too. Lewis settles for the No 1 world ranking, the LPGA Tours player of the year award and also the No 1 ranking on the money list for 2014, as Kos US$1m (NZ$1.3m) bonus does not count toward official earnings...
Posted on: Mon, 24 Nov 2014 08:15:13 +0000
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