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
Jin Young Ko overcame a high-class field at Sentosa Golf Club to pick up her first LPGA Tour title in 12 months and her first trophy since her wrist injury, which plagued her golf throughout 2022.
Sinking the winning putt, Ko was visibly emotional as she fired a final round 69 to win by two shots, with the 27-year-old claiming the victory is "the most important" of her career, adding "I had a tough year last year, and I fought with injury and not good game and mentally tough and everything, and then I won this week. So it's going to be more important to me and it's going to be big momentum for me in my life."
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Beginning the final day of the weather-hit HSBC Women's World Championship, Ko held a two shot advantage over the field after shooting two consecutive 65s on Friday and Saturday.
Leading over the likes of Major winners Nelly Korda and Danielle Kang, it would be a long day for those in contention, especially with inclement weather causing havoc over the final day on Sunday.
Throughout the front nine, Ko looked controlled as she constructed a three-under-par 33. However, after finding trouble on the 10th, she holed a crucial par putt from off the green to keep the momentum going. Soon, though, the chasing pack made a huge move, with Kang birdieing the 13th to move within one.
Despite a bogey at the 11th, Ko birdied the 13th and kept her advantage intact as the hooter blew and play was suspended because of inclement weather.
After an hour's delay, play resumed with Ko three shots clear of the field and with just a handful of holes to play. Finding pars at the 16th and 17th, she played the 18th perfectly and tapped-in for a 14th LPGA Tour title her first victory since this very event 12 months ago.
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Following her round, Ko explained that "I didn't know if I had a one shot lead on 15 or 16. I know Nelly is behind me. I thought it was just one or two shots, so it was close. But after the delay, I rested in the dining and I saw the TV and the scoreboard, and it was a three shot lead, but I had two more holes left, so, okay, let's make a par, like safe play. But it was really hard to make par 17, 18, but I made it."
Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.
Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.
Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?
Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°
Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°
Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°
Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°
Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
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