Golf

Lydia Ko holds off Charley Hull to take year’s first Major

18-year-old becomes youngest woman to win two Majors after taking the ANA Inspiration

Lydia Ko after her victory in the ANA Inspiration. Photograph: AP
Lydia Ko after her victory in the ANA Inspiration. Photograph: AP
Mon Apr 04 2016 - 08:47

England's Charley Hull fell just short in her quest for her maiden major as she finished tied-second in the ANA Inspiration in California, one shot behind winner Lydia Ko.

The Kettering-born 20-year-old, who started the day two shots off the lead, recovered from a poor start to fire five birdies in the final 10 holes and card a three-under-par 69, finishing on 11-under.

A 20-foot putt for birdie on the 18th briefly gave her a clubhouse lead, but Ko, playing in the group behind, followed suit to move to 12-under and claim a maiden ANA Inspiration title and a second successive major.

The fact that Hull, who still registered her best ever major finish, was even in contention is testament to a superb back nine where she recovered from two bogeys in the first two holes to climb back up the leaderboard.

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She made her move at the turn with successive birdies at the ninth, 10th and 11th holes before adding another at the 13th.

Hull was inches away from yet another at 17th but her 15-foot attempt drifted just wide of the hole, though she did go one-under at the 18th to briefly lead before Ko had the final say.

Despite just missing out, Hull was pleased with her week’s work.

“I am happy because I played some great shots on the back nine,” she told the Golf Channel. “I feel like I know I can play well under pressure. Making birdies when I am down, I have done that today and I am proud of myself.

“But Lydia hit a great shot into the last and she should be proud of herself.

“I think (my performance) is great, I can’t wait for the next tournament, I put some good work in over Christmas and so far I have had a number of top-10s and been playing well.”

Ko, who is the youngest woman in LPGA history to triumph at two majors, was only able to win thanks to a capitulation from Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn, who blew a two-shot lead with three birdies in the final three holes to slip from 13-under down to fourth.

Nevertheless, world number one Ko was still able to get her own business done and her final-hole birdie came after a string of impressive par saves on the back nine.

Hull was tied for second with South Korean In Gee Chun, while overnight leader Lexi Thompson never challenged after two birdies in the first three holes.