How Lydia Ko Won the Women’s Open

The final major of the year has come and gone, but what a spectacular finale it was. Lydia Ko is now forever a champion at St. Andrews, a fitting title for a generational player.

Timing your game to peak during the biggest events of the year is nearly impossible. Lydia Ko hadn’t done it since she was a teenager. Coming into this week it was hard to believe the fairytale of the Olympics just two weeks ago would continue. Winning is hard. But with her medal slam and Hall of Fame berth secured, Ko had less of the spotlight on her than she did in Paris. Whether it was being freed up from that pressure, having her husband, mother and sister along for the ride, or a combination of all of the above, she once again got it done on a big stage, extending her dream run.

A birdie on 18 sees Lydia Ko set the clubhouse lead on -7 with a final round of 69. pic.twitter.com/N5TjPA59ei

— AIG Women’s Open (@AIGWomensOpen) August 25, 2024

With a leaderboard full of major winners and former and current world No. 1 players, Ko stepped up on the back nine to close the deal with a series of clutch shots. A driver off the deck that led to a birdie on the par-5 14th. A near-perfect pitch on 16 to save par. A 3-wood to 25 ft on the Road hole. And a birdie at the 18th to take the clubhouse lead. After Lilia Vu failed to match her birdie at the last, Lydia Ko officially joined the short list of Open champions at St. Andrews.

A brilliant effort in defence of her title.

Lilia Vu falls just short and will take tied second place. @toyotires_uk | #RoundIn60Seconds pic.twitter.com/JwnSTmgBxF

— AIG Women’s Open (@AIGWomensOpen) August 25, 2024

This one hits different. They all count the same in the record books, but Lydia Ko’s victory at St. Andrews is a step (or eight) above her Evian and Chevron victories in 2015 and 2016. Her domination of the game during that stretch never carried over to the Women’s Open, particularly on links courses. That changed this week.

Highlights from your Champion, Lydia Ko. @toyotires_uk | #RoundIn60Seconds pic.twitter.com/bYrK7PK43j

— AIG Women’s Open (@AIGWomensOpen) August 25, 2024

Ko was the epitome of consistency, posting scores of 71, 70, 71, and 69. She carded just six bogeys for the week, tied for fewest in the field. She avoided the big numbers that derailed others, especially Nelly Korda on Saturday and Sunday. Korda’s two back-nine double bogeys on the weekend, both inexplicable and sloppy, marred an otherwise positive return to major contention. Ko’s putter was another strength, as she needed just 124 putts over the course of the week. A disappointing Sunday with the flatstick will be what Lilia Vu rues from her week. Three three-putts on Sunday (including one on the 18th that cost her almost $300,000) prevented her from posting back-to-back Open wins. The week belonged to Lydia Ko, though. All in all, it was a classy performance from one of the classiest players to ever play the game. Her name fits in just right with the other heavyweight Open winners at the Old Course. A fairytale ending where it all began.

The Recipe for Success

The final major of the year was a feast made with only the highest quality ingredients. That started, of course, with the Home of Golf, hosting just its third Women’s Open. The Old Course is now more appropriately suited to the women’s game than the men’s, a fact that was immediately evident in Thursday’s extreme wind, when lumber and long irons ruled the day. The wind and cold remained part of the story every round, with rain holding off until Sunday before entering the mix.

The course and conditions played their part, and by Friday evening it was clear the competitors were game to deliver their piece of the puzzle. Thanks to the most compelling leaderboard all season, Sunday afternoon became one of the highlights of the golf year. Course, conditions, and stars in contention. Check, check, check. Let’s not wait 11 years to do this again.