Lydia Ko makes 18 birdies to retain Olympic gold medal

GUAYANcourt, France — New Zealand’s Lydia Ko won the gold medal in women’s Olympic golf on Saturday with a final score of 10 under par, adding to her silver medals in Rio and bronze in Tokyo. Finally, she completed her medal journey.

At the National Golf Championships south of Paris, Co (71 on Saturday) withstood a late shot from Germany’s Esther Henseleit, who shot 66 to take silver in a tense match , two strokes behind the New Zealander.

Lin Xiyu (69) of China won the bronze medal with a score of 7 under par (total score of 281 in this tournament).

The gold medal for Ko, who was born in South Korea, also gives her the remaining points she needs to enter the Women’s Golf LPGA Hall of Fame at age 27.

Gao, who shared the lead with Switzerland’s Morgan Metro in the final round, was five strokes ahead of Henselet at 11 under after the first nine holes and was on the verge of victory.

But a wayward shot on No. 13 sent her into the water en route to a double bogey, opening the door for Henselet, who cut Ko’s lead to one shot.

In the final set of games, two-time major champion and former world No. 1 Ko kept her composure, sinking four consecutive par putts before birdieing the 18th green to win. gold medal.

Metrox fell from a share of the lead overnight with a 79 to tie for 18th at 2 under, but was unable to recover from two bogeys and a triple bogey through the first five holes. Recover from the bogey.

France’s Celine Boutier, who equaled Metraux, excited the home fans by taking the lead in the first round on Wednesday. But after opening with a 65, Boutier finished with 76, 71 and 74.

Defending champion and world No. 1 American player Nellie Korda, who played alongside Boutier, shot 75 in this tournament, dropping her score to 1 under par and finishing tied for 22nd.

——Reuters, on-site media special report