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

Michael Schmitt

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.

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.

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.

“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.”