Lydia Ko is now the youngest major champion in modern golf history, winning The Evian Championship on Sunday in France by six shots over Lexi Thompson.
Ko, who trailed 54-hole leader Mi-Hyang Lee by two shots entering the final round at the Evian Golf Club, shot a stunning final-round, 8-under 63 to lock up her first major title at the age of 18 years, 4 months, 20 days, surpassing Morgan Pressel, who won the 2007 ANA Inspiration (formerly the Kraft Nabisco Championship) at the age of 18 years, 10 months, 9 days. Ko posted a final total of 16-under 268.
Young Tom Morris is the youngest major champion, male or female, in golf history, winning the 1868 Open Championship at the age of 17 years, 5 months, 8 days.
The Kiwi teen made the turn trailing Thompson by a shot, but made a championship charge on the back nine, making five birdies on the back nine, including the final two holes, to lock up the title. Ko is the first major winner to shoot 63 in the final round since Johnny Miller at Oakmont to win the 1973 U.S. Open. She's just the fifth player in golf history to close a major with 63.
For the win... pic.twitter.com/U05SUQTDZm
— ricki (@lasky33) September 13, 2015
Thompson, who went out in 3-under 32, didn't make another birdie after the seventh hole. A bogey at the eighth cut the lead from three to two, then Thompson made a double-bogey 5 at the par-3 14th that sealed her fate.
Shanshan Feng finished in third at 8 under par.
With a win, Ko had a chance to retake the top spot in the Rolex Rankings, but needed Inbee Park to finish worse than 17th place. Park shot 3-under 68 in the final round to finish T-8 and secure No. 1.
