Lydia Ko, New Zealand's golfing sensation, made history by seizing a 'once in a lifetime' opportunity to win the gold medal in the Women's Individual Stroke Play on day fifteen of the Games at Le Golf National in Paris on Saturday. This win was a landmark achievement for Ko, who achieved an unprecedented Olympic trilogy. Having already secured a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics and a bronze in Tokyo 2020, Ko's victory in Paris solidifies her position as one of the most successful golfers in Olympic history.
The 27-year-old's path to gold was characterized by her consistent performance and strategic play. From her initial tee shot to her final putt, she demonstrated the skill and composure that have been hallmarks of her prestigious career. With this win, Ko secured her place in golfing history by entering the LPGA Hall of Fame.
"Being tied for the lead going into the final round, I realized that the next 18 holes were crucial," Ko remarked. "I had mentioned earlier that I might not have another chance at the Olympics, and this could be my last. I didn't want to announce it publicly because I knew this was a unique opportunity."
Ko maintained a five-stroke lead over the back nine during the final round as her competitors struggled. Despite the pressure, she managed the challenging final hole, a par five with water hazards, with a one-shot lead. Ko played it safe, hit a wedge to seven feet, and made the birdie for a one under 71, securing a two-stroke victory.
Esther Henseleit of Germany and Xiyu Lin of China took the silver and bronze respectively. This latest accolade adds to Ko's remarkable career, which includes her first LPGA title at 15 and reaching No. 1 worldwide at 17. Ko's 72-hole score of 10-under 278 on a challenging course earned her a spot in the Hall of Fame, making her the 35th player and the second-youngest to achieve this feat.
Reflecting on her career, Ko noted, "I know there's still much golf to be played this season. Golf has been generous to me, and I want to enjoy it while I'm still competing at a high level." Meanwhile, Bianca Pagdanganan narrowly missed a third medal for the Philippines, finishing fourth, the best result for a Filipino golfer at the Games.
