Jin Young Ko's victory last year made her the World No.1 and reigning LPGA player of the year, and she appeared poised to take her career to new heights.
Follow Us
Jin Young Ko, the 27-year-old South Korean golfer, earned her second HSBC Women’s World Championship in a row in Singapore. Her triumph came after a difficult 12-month journey to win her 14th LPGA championship. Ko, who usually maintains a stern persona, broke down in tears of excitement on the 18th green as she was not able to control her emotions. She earned the no-cut tournament’s massive $1.8 million prize money with this. She also created history by becoming the first golfer to defend her world championship title.
The final round was filled with challenges, including three rain delays and stiff competition from two American players, Nelly Korda and Danielle Kang, and Japan’s Ayaka Furue. Ko started the day with a two-shot lead over Korda, but Kang quickly closed the gap with five birdies on her first 13 holes. However, Ko responded with a birdie of her own on the 13th hole, just as Kang made a bogey on the 16th, giving Ko a crucial advantage. When Korda bogeyed the 14th hole, Ko’s victory was almost confirmed, even though it delayed by rain with only three holes remaining.
Read more: HSBC Women’s World Championship 2023: LIVE Streaming, When and Where to Watch, Tee Times
Ko’s victory last year made her the World No.1 and reigning LPGA player of the year, and she appeared poised to take her career to new heights. She set an LPGA record with 15 consecutive rounds in the 60s, and 29 rounds in the 60s over her last 30. However, a wrist injury derailed her progress, and she struggled to perform, with only four top-10 finishes in her next 15 starts. She fell to fifth in the Rolex Women’s Ranking and missed back-to-back cuts for the first time ever.
Read more: Keith Pelley elected as the new chairman of International Golf Federation
Taking time off to heal her wrist paid off, as she showed signs of a return to form with a T-6 finish at the Honda LPGA Thailand a week earlier. Her win in Singapore, her sixth straight LPGA season title, and third LPGA career title defense, showed that her confidence had returned after a difficult year.
Jin Young Ko’s victory at the HSBC Women’s World Championship was the culmination of a challenging 12-month journey. She battled a wrist injury that threatened her career, fell in the Rolex Women’s Ranking, and missed back-to-back cuts for the first time. However, her time off to heal and train with her coach in Vietnam paid off, and she returned to form with a T-6 finish in Thailand and ultimately, a successful title defense in Singapore.
Read more: Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour 2022-23: List of All the Winners
