Lydia Ko romps to Saudi Ladies International victory while 18-year-old makes history
And three birdies within the opening seven holes solidified the two-time main winner’s lead, earlier than an eagle on the ninth and birdies on 10 and 13 sealed the victory.
Her victory on the occasion, which boasts one of many richest prizes on the Women European Tour (LET) schedule (a $1 million USD prize fund), is her second of the season.
“It helps while you’re going into the ultimate spherical with a four-shot cushion, you might shoot the identical rating as others, however you have got these pictures from the final three days.
“I birdied the primary gap and holed two actually good putts for par on two and three which actually set the momentum up, and from there, I attempted to not look again and simply go ahead.”
Making historical past
In ending second on the Saudi Women Worldwide, 18-year-old Thitikul etched her identify within the historical past books.
She additional prolonged her lead on the prime of the Race to Costa del Sol’s standings to clinch the 2021 title with two occasions nonetheless to play.
The Race to Costa del Sol is a season-long competitors to crown the LET’s primary participant.
And with some extent whole of three,264.46, she has greater than double the tally of second-placed Sanna Nuutinen, who completed joint ninth in Saudi Arabia, on 1,570.27 factors.
In doing so, she turned the youngest winner of the competitors in its historical past.
Thitikul has had considerably of a breakthrough 12 months this season, surging into the highest 30 on this planet rankings.
After ending second, she admitted Ko was streaks forward of her on the Saudi Women Worldwide.
“I discovered so much from her immediately, Lydia Ko has among the finest quick video games ever, her placing was sensible, and each strategy shot she performed this week, I can undoubtedly study to get higher from her.”