Lydia Ko Surges To BMW Ladies Championship Victory
It was an emotional win for Ko as she picked up her first tournament victory in her country of birth
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to Golf Monthly Newsletter Newsletter

An emotional Lydia Ko spoke about the significance of her first victory in her birth country, after she claimed the BMW Ladies Championship by four shots and made it a stunning 18 victories on the LPGA Tour.
The former world number one shot an emphatic seven-under-par final round to finish -21 for the tournament, with Andrea Lee, Ko’s closest rival, at -17 and the trio of Hye-Jin Choi, Hyo Joo Kim and Lilia Vu finishing in a tie for third at -16.
A post shared by LPGA Tour (@lpga_tour) (opens in new tab)
A photo posted by on
The 25 year-old was visibly emotional whilst reflecting on her first win in her birth country of South Korea. Ko was born in Seoul but moved to New Zealand with her family at the age of four.
“I think it means a lot to win in Korea," stated Ko. "It’s a place that I’m born and it makes it very special. I said more than ever I really want to win in Korea once before my career is done and to be able to do it, a few of my relatives are here and this is the first year since Covid that we’ve had fans, it means a lot. A win is special in its own way. This is one to cherish.”
After starting the final round one shot behind the leader, Atthaya Thitikul, Ko managed to take up pole position with a birdie at the fourth hole giving her the outright lead. She didn't stop there though, as back-to-back birdies on the 10th and 11th gave Ko a three-shot lead at -18.
Ko gets covered in champagne after securing her 18th LPGA Tour title
A late surge from Choi saw the gap close to two after a birdie on the 14th, with the South Korean then birdieing the 15th to pile the pressure on Ko with her lead closing to one shot. The pressure ignited Ko though, as she carded three birdies on the 15th, 16th and 17th to assert her dominance and win the tournament.
“I think I set a goal of five-under (for the day) and if somebody plays better than me and I don’t end up winning that’s all I can do, so I just try to focus on me. I definitely made the 18th hole harder than it actually should be played, but it’s great to be back in the winner’s circle".
Cieran joined the Golf Monthly team having previously written for other digital outlets like Reach PLC and Northern Golfer. After studying Journalism at Northumbria University, Cieran went on to complete an MA at the University of Sunderland. A big golf fan, he currently plays at Blyth Golf Club, where he holds a handicap of 8. Citing his favorite golfer as Tiger Woods, Cieran regards himself as the best snap hooker of a ball in the North of England.
-
-
Masters Promo Video Sends Social Media Crazy
If you weren't already excited for the Masters, then this video might send you over the edge
By Matt Cradock • Published
-
Pauline Roussin Wins Aramco Team Series Singapore
Along with Roussin's dominant win, Christine Wolf's team secured a one shot victory in the team event
By Matt Cradock • Published
-
Pauline Roussin Wins Aramco Team Series Singapore
Along with Roussin's dominant win, Christine Wolf's team secured a one shot victory in the team event
By Matt Cradock • Published
-
Aramco Team Series Singapore Purse, Prize Money And Field
The first of five of the unique events in 2023 takes place at Laguna National, as Manon De Roey defends her title
By Mike Hall • Published
-
Women's Game Unaffected By Golf Ball Rollback Proposal
R&A CEO Martin Slumbers confirmed that the plan will only affect elite players in the men's game
By Mike Hall • Published
-
Eila Galitsky Claims Life Changing Women's Amateur Asia-Pacific Title
Galitsky carded a final round 68 to secure the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP) Championship by five shots
By Matt Cradock • Published
-
Jin Young Ko Defends Weather Delayed HSBC Women's World Championship
The South Korean fended off the likes of Nelly Korda and Danielle Kang to retain her Singapore title
By Matt Cradock • Published
-
Danielle Kang Introduces One Of A Kind Scotty Cameron Putter At LPGA Tour Event
Kang stated it took Scotty Cameron days to make the putter, with the 'DK Special' a one of a kind model
By Matt Cradock • Published
-
Young Golfer Dresses As Idol And Golf Monthly Cover Star Charley Hull On World Book Day
Nine-year-old Esme went as Charley Hull to World Book Day after seeing the Englishwoman on the front cover of Golf Monthly magazine
By Monty McPhee • Published
-
HSBC Women’s World Championship Purse, Prize Money And Field
Jin Young Ko returns to defend her title at Sentosa Golf Club
By Mike Hall • Published