Lydia Ko wins Kia Classic, targets ANA Inspiration

Lydia Ko (19) and Park In-bee (28), who are ranking first and second in the world, respectively, said unanimously “The biggest gain through the event is regaining my self-confidence," when asked how they felt after the fourth round of the LPGA Kia Classic at Aviara Golf Club (par 72) in Carlsbad, California on Sunday local time.

Lydia Ko secured her first win of the season with 19-under 269 overall, or a four-stroke difference with Park In-bee who was the runner-up. The two players, who both had 5-under 67 on the final day, sufficiently warmed up themselves ahead of the ANA Inspiration, the first major event of this season that opens on Thursday. Since Ko and Park have displayed their best conditions, the ANA Inspiration is set to draw keen attention as "prelude to the Rio de Janeiro Olympics," with all of the world best stars participating en masse.

By winning the title at the Kia Classic, Ko has dispelled her regret from her runner-up prize at last week’s Founders Cup. Park, who had humiliatingly failed to make the cut for the first time at the Founders Cup, also dispelled concern over her possible slump, and displayed performance living up to her nickname "Golf Empress."

When Park narrowed her difference to one stroke, Ko made three straight birdies at Holes 16 – 18 to keep her victory in a perfect conclusion. By garnering her 11th career win and acquiring 255,000 U.S. dollars in prize money, the 19-year-old Korean-New Zealander has regained the top spot in overall purse money rankings with 614,122 dollars by beating over Jang Ha-na (603,270 dollars) for the season..

As the youngest golfer ever to win the Evian Championship last year, Ko is aiming to win two major events for the first time among all the New Zealand golfers, both males and females. “As I learned that In-bee garnered a number of birdies during the competition, I concentrated on the game all the more to the last moment," she said. "Since I have improved consistency in shots, I am now looking forward to winning at major events.”

Park slumped in performances due to waist injury and her father-in-law's death in early days of the season. She had made the astonishing achievement of winning three consecutive major events in 2013, starting with the ANA Inspiration (then the Nabisco Championship). "I have higher expectations now because I have recovered sense in shots and putting ahead of major tournaments," Park said. "I will step up efforts to retake No. 1 place in world rankings from Lydia Ko who has no weaknesses.”

Park Sung-hyun, who started the final round in the champion’s group with Ko, finished the event tying for fourth with Shin Ji-eun. Park Sung-hyun said, “I made many mistakes because I was nervous and excessively ambitious, but I am satisfied because I made the top 10 list which I had targeted," Park said. "I will display better performance at next events.” Attention is also focusing on whether Park Sung-hyun, who is participating in the ANA Inspiration, will follow the footstep of Jeon In-ji, who directly advanced to the LPGA Tour from the KLPGA Tour by winning last year's U.S. Women’s Open.

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