15-year old Lydia Ko is youngest LPGA champion
COQUITLAM, BC – AUGUST 26: Amateur Lydia Ko of New Zealand hits a tee shot on the fifth hole on her way to a three shot victory during the final round of the Canadian Women’s Open at The Vancouver Golf Club on August 26, 2012 in Coquitlam, Canada.
Lydia Ko, 15, made history Sunday as the youngest winner on the LPGA Tour with a victory in Sunday's Canadian Women's Open. The New Zealander beat last year's record set by 16-year-old Lexi Thompson, reports AP.
The Golf Channel reports Ko blew away her challengers by closing with a 5-under-par 67 to become the first amateur in 43 years to win an LPGA event.
“This means a lot,” Ko told the Golf Channel. “I just came to make the cut and play my best, and I won, and I’m going to get the trophy. It’s amazing.”
Ko finished the tournament with a 13-under 275 total to beat South Korea's Inbee Park by three strokes, reports the Vancouver Sun.
Ko is no stranger to breaking records. She became the youngest player to win a professional tour event at 14 last January, reports AP. Ko's record has since been broken by 14-year-old Brooke Henderson in June in a Canadian Women's Tour event in Quebec.
Sunday's victory was cheered by fans in New Zealand and might help encourage more young girls into playing golf, according to the country's golf pros.
"No New Zealand woman has ever won on the LPGA tour before and in terms of significant golfing achievements this is probably the most significant by a New Zealand female golfer," New Zealand Golf chief executive Dean Murphy told Reuters.
"It's not unexpected, but she does just dazzle us every time she plays," Murphy said. "To win on the LPGA Tour, against a quality field is just a stunning achievement. We are so delighted."