Nelly Koda (26, U.S.), who won the Fur Hills Pak Se-ri Championship (total prize money of $2 million) held by women’s golf legend Pak Se-ri (47), on the LPGA Tour for the first time, made the remarks on the meaning of winning the championship.
Koda won the final fourth round of the tournament at Palos Budis Golf Club (par 71) in Palos Budis Estates, California, on the 25th (Korea time) after playing overtime with Ryan O’Toole (USA).
Koda made one eagle and five birdies in the final fourth round, but made five bogeys and shot a 2-under 69. He advanced to O’Toole and the extra time by recording a 9-under 275 total, and secured his victory by making a 3.5-meter birdie putt in the first extra time (18th hole, par 4).
After winning the LPGA Drive-On Championship in January, Koda, who was the first to achieve two wins this season, became the 10th LPGA Tour winner.
The process was not smooth for both wins in this season. Koda, who was competing to win the title at the Drive-On Championship in January, lost four pars at three holes, making bogeys at Hole 14 (par 4), double bogey at Hole 15 (par 3), and bogey at Hole 16 (par 4). In contrast, Ko finished the game first by a three-par gap.
It seemed that Ko’s victory was almost confirmed, but Koda wrote a reversal drama at the last two holes. She successfully played a 5-meter eagle putt at the 17th (par 5), and posted an iron shot 30 centimeters to the left of the pin to add a birdie at the 18th (par 4), and lead the game to extra time.
Koda calmly putted a 1m par putt in the second extra time to beat Ko, who missed a 1.2m par.
Koda won the title after riding a roller coaster again on the day. Koda successfully played a 5-meter eagle putt at Hole 14 (par 5). O’Toole finished the game first with a 5-under par and a 9-under par total of 275, two strokes behind Koda. However, Koda missed a 1.5-meter par putt at Hole 17 (par 3) when she exchanged bogeys at Hole 15 (par 4) and birdies at Hole 16 (par 5), and made consecutive bogeys after failing to make par saves at Hole 18 (par 4), falling into a tie with O’Toole.
In the end, Koda was dragged into extra time, but he won in one hole and won his 10th career championship.
Koda took almost two months off from mid-February to early March without competing in the LPGA Tour tournament in Asia and cleared her swing.
“I was angry at the unexpected result of back-to-back bogeys before going into extra time, but I talked to my swing coach Jamie Mulligan on the putt green and calmed down,” he said. He added, “I reminded myself that I still have a chance to win.”
With this victory, Koda will regain the top spot in the world ranking, which is currently being guarded by Lilia Bu (U.S.). “The top spot in the world is not my goal. If I play well, everything will follow. My goal is in the week I play. These small goals will come together and lead to big goals,” she said. “I remember 2021 when I became No. 1 in the world for the first time. I am grateful and proud.”
BY: 메이저사이트