American Lexi Thompson Wins The LPGA KEB Hana Bank Championship; South Korean-Born Lydia Ko Ranks Behind Inbee Park
The LPGA KEB Hana Bank Championship on Sunday at Sky 72's Ocean Course led to 20-year-old American Lexi Thompson's second win of the year, with a three-under 69 to become victorious against Taiwanese Yani Tseng and South Korean Sung Hyun Park.
"It's very satisfying," said Thompson. "I always look forward to coming back to South Korea and playing in front of these amazing fans. I love Sky 72. It's a great golf course. Getting a win, it means so much."
According to Yahoo Sports News Oct. 18, 18-year-old South Korean-born Lydia Ko was not able to take the world's top spot after finishing with a 72 at 13-under, tied at fourth place with South Korean Amy Yang and American Gerina Piller and behind South Korean Inbee Park.
Yang set the record as the first player in tour history to end with consecutive birdies at the final nine holes, tied with Beth Daniels' record in 1999.
''I don't know what just happened. Just can't believe,'' Yang said. ''Shots were great. Early in the week I was shaky, but I don't know, this back nine was crazy good.''
"When I went for that green and I saw my ball bounce over, I'm like, 'Probably not going to be the best chip shot, or the easiest," Thompson said. "But I love hitting flop shots out of the rough. I just opened the blade wide open and just took a big swing at it. I figured, at worst, it would run through the fringe but have a straight uphill putt.'"
Ko was two shots behind Thompson and disappointedly missed an eight-foot putt for birdie at the 18th hole narrowly missing the world's No. 1 spot, noted Stuff Oct. 12.
Her past three wins included a major victory and a tie for second at a Malaysian tournament last week. However, Ko's two-shot lead last weekend became a two-shot deficit as she bogeyed the par-four sixth, an advantageous turn of events for Thompson who birdied the seventh to ninth holes.
Meanwhile, Yang performed a course-record 10-under 62 and birdied each hole on a back nine, ending at nine-under 27 - a first on the LPGA Tour.