Ko edges Korda for CME, Player Of The Year wins

South Korea’s Jin Young Ko has won the LPGA Tour finale to secure the richest prize in women’s golf and overtake World No.1 Nelly Korda for LPGA Player of the Year.

Ko posted a final round 9-under 63 for a one-shot victory over Japan’s Nasa Hataoka and in the process pocketed a tidy US$1.5 million. It was the second time in three years that Ko has won the LPGA Player of the Year award.

The recently deposed World No.1 began the final round in a four-way tie for the lead with Korda, Hataoka and Celine Boutier and fired four birdies on the opening six holes to gain the advantage with Hataoka never closer than two shots off the lead on the back nine, finishing birdie-birdie for a second straight 64. Hataoka earned $480,000 as the runner-up.

“This week was amazing,” said Ko. “I tried to play aggressive and I got it and I’m so happy. I cannot really believe it. Player of the Year, it’s cool. It’s really tough to get…especially this year with Nelly.”

WITB: JIN YOUNG KO

• Titleist Pro V1 Golf Ball
• Titleist TSi3 Driver (11º)
• Titleist TSi2 FW (15º)
• Titleist TSi2 FW (18º)
• Titleist TSi2 Hybrid (21º)
• Bridgestone Tour B 201CB (6i-PW)
• Titleist Vokey Design SM8 (50º, 52º, 58º)
• Scotty Cameron Phantom X 5.5 Putter

Minjee Lee was the best of the Australians closing with a final round 66 to move ten places up the leaderboard to finish in a share of 5th position, with Hannah Green also firing a final round 66 to share 15th position.

Lee’s bogey-free six-under final round included an eagle at the par-5 17th en route to a nice pay day of $145,041.33 ($A200,000) to end a sensational year in which she became a major champion at the Evian Championship in July.

Su Oh shared 28th position to round out the Australian contingent at the event.