AFP, Los Angeles :
Ko Jin-young two putted for par on No. 18 to win the Volunteers of America Classic on Sunday, just one week after losing her world number one title.
In her first start since Nelly Korda overtook her, the South Korean carded a two-under 69 for a one-stroke victory over Finland’s Matilda Castren.
Ko was No. 1 from July 2019, a streak of 100 consecutive weeks. But winning her eighth career LPGA Tour title on Sunday helped take some of the sting off being knocked off her lofty perch.
“I was thinking I had a lot of pressure with the No. 1 ranking,” Ko said. “But I made it this week. I’m very happy.”
Ko, who earned $225,000 for the victory, finished with a 16-under 268 total to edge Castren who closed with a 69 on the Old American Golf Club in Dallas, Texas.
”I had a lot of opportunities for birdies that I didn’t make,” Ko said. ”But I still won so it doesn’t matter.”
She has now captured at least one win in five straight seasons going back to 2017. Her previous wins include the 2018 Women’s Australian Open and 2019 ANA Inspiration. Her most recent win was last year’s CME Group Tour Championship.
Mexico’s Gaby Lopez closed with a 65 to finish in solo third, two shots adrift of Ko. Lopez made her only bogey on the last hole.
