Jin-young Ko comes from behind to snatch Founders Cup crown

South Korea’s Jin-young Ko fired a seven-birdie 65 on Sunday to clinch her third LPGA title at the Bank of Hope Founders Cup in Phoenix, Arizona.
The 23-year-old from Seoul finished particularly strongly, making a hat-trick of birdies at the 14th, 15th and 16th to edge out her closest rivals at Wildfire Golf Club.
Ko had started the final round four shots off the lead, but four birdies in her opening 11 holes saw her close the gap at the top, before her sterling finish earned her the win.
Jin Young Ko hit 16 greens in regulation on her way to a victorious bogey-free 65!
Ko's victory is the third of her short career, and her first in the U.S.A!
Check out her final round highlights now!
HIGHLIGHTS ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/XC5PBhYlIp
— #DriveOn (@LPGA) March 25, 2019
She finished one shot clear of American sisters Jessica and Nelly Korda, Spain’s Carlota Ciganda and China’s Yu Liu.
Yu and Ciganda started the day in first and second, but rounds of 70 and 69 respectively did not prove to be enough on the day.
The Korda sisters fired impressive rounds – a 64 for Jessica and a 66 for Nelly – to grab a share of second place.
.@NellyKorda was inches away from forcing a playoff with Jin Young Ko at the @LPGAfounders.
Korda's T2 finish is her seventh Top 10 finish her last eight starts, which include two wins.
Check out her final round highlights now!
HIGHLIGHTS ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/4uujE3PvLw
— #DriveOn (@LPGA) March 25, 2019
For Ko, who was on the practice green preparing for a possible play-off as the final groups finished up, was relieved to finish the job in regulation.
"No thinking about the future, just now. Amazing day."
Jin Young Ko didn't approach her final round thinking about the winning score. Taking the day shot by shot, she was able to outshoot her competitors and claim the @LPGAfounders.
INTERVIEW ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/dzTvR8VIZU
— #DriveOn (@LPGA) March 25, 2019
“I don’t need to practice anymore!” she exclaimed.
“I didn’t think about winning today,” she added. “I had to really focus on my game. I just tried (to play) shot by shot and not thinking about the future, just, like, now.
“So, amazing day.”
Latest
-
PGA Tour
Injury rules Open champion Cameron Smith out of BMW Championship
The Australian world number two currently sits third in the FedEx Cup standings, 1,132 points behind leader Will Zalatoris.
-
PGA Tour
Will Zalatoris triumphs in dramatic playoff to claim first PGA Tour win
The American defeated Austria’s Sepp Straka in three extra holes at TPC Southwind – despite not making a birdie.
-
News
Ewen Ferguson seals wire-to-wire victory at ISPS Handa World Invitational
The 26-year-old Scot also won the Qatar Masters in March.
-
Ryder Cup
New Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald motivated by ‘bitter’ memories of 2021 defeat
Stenson was stripped of the role for breaking his contract by joining the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series.
-
Ryder Cup
The task facing Luke Donald after replacing Henrik Stenson
Stenson was appointed on March 15 and said he was fully committed to a role before signing with the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series.
-
Ryder Cup
Luke Donald named Europe’s Ryder Cup captain
Donald replaces Henrik Stenson after he was stripped of the role.
-
PGA Tour
Tony Finau claims second straight PGA Tour victory
The American won the 3M Open in his previous outing.
-
News
Henrik Stenson cushions Ryder Cup blow with £3.6m debut win in LIV Golf
The Swede was stripped of his role as Europe captain after joining the Saudi-backed breakaway tour.
-
News
Former Masters champion Bubba Watson becomes latest player to join LIV Golf
The left-hander is currently sidelined by a knee injury and is not expected to play until next season,
-
Ryder Cup
Luke Donald tipped to replace Henrik Stenson as Europe’s Ryder Cup captain
The Swede lost the job 127 days after his appointment following his decision to join the LIV Golf series.