| -18 P Tavatanakit (Tha); -16 L Kb (NZ); -11 N Koerstz Madsen (Den), S Feng (Chn), N Korda (United States), K Sei-young (Kor); -ten A Ewing (United States), J Ko (Kor), I Park (Kor) |
| Selection of others: -7 C Hull (Eng), M Reid (Eng); -4 L Maguire (Ire); -3 G Hall (English); E B Law (Eng) |
Rookie Patty Tavatanakit won her first major despite a stunning 62 round equivalent to Lydia Ko’s record at ANA Inspiration in California.
Thailand’s Tavatanakit, 21, shot a four under 68 to complete a end-to-end victory at Rancho Mirage as she finished two ahead of New Zealand Ko.
Ko set a tournament record of 29 out of the first nine and tied Lorena Ochoa’s record score for one round.
Tavatanakit is the first rookie to win the event since Juli Inkster in 1984.
“I just wanted to be done since this morning,” she said, after winning her first LPGA title.
“I didn’t get much sleep last night, but I meditated twice this morning and just remained patient. I knew I had to be very strong mentally.”
Ko, who won the tournament in 2016, had seven birdies and an eagle on the first 11 holes of the Dinah Shore course to threaten Tavatanakit’s lead.
However, Ko – who became world number one at 17 but without a win since April 2018 – only managed a birdie in the last seven holes.
“It just shows that no matter how far back you are, you can still go for it,” added the two-time major winner, who started the day with eight adrift shots.
Ko’s bogeyless 62 wasn’t enough to secure a “ comeback ” title a few hours later Jordan Spieth achieved the feat in Texas, But it’s the last lowest lap in major LPGA history and suggests his rebuilding with coach Sean Foley is about to pay off.
England’s Charley Hall was tied for 14th in seven under alongside compatriot Mel Reid, who finished strong with a 67.
