Korda’s hopes were further dashed with a bogey on 17 after failing to get up and down in two from the Road Hole bunker and eventually scored a par-72 point to finish five under par, two KOs.
“Look, this is golf,” Korda told reporters afterward. “I’m going to make a mistake and I made a mistake twice over the course of the weekend, in two punishing ways, down the stretch.
“In theory, that’s what the tournament cost me, but I played well. I played solid.
“I even fought after that. I’ll keep that in mind for long-term events. “
With her second tie, Korda at least won the 2024 Rolex ANNIKA Major Award, given to the player who achieves the best record in the five major championships of the LPGA Tour season.
Korda won the first primary of the season, the Chevron Championship, which is the time of her career after winning the 2021 PGA Women’s Championship.
He added: “Overall, I think I rode very well this week. I hit the ball well with the conditions. I hope it moves in the right direction again. “
Despite Korda’s reeling on the Old Course to lose to Ko, Sky Sports’ lady Laura Davies had no doubt she would have her day again at a primary championship.
“She played wonderful golf, but you can’t be the one to win,” Davies said.
“It’s very complicated there. Four days later I thought the score was for the whole week.
“It’s difficult. She, how difficult it is. . . He’s already won six [titles this year].
“It just didn’t work out for her. But she is still a brilliant player and a worthy world No. 1, and will be for some time. I think she will win many more primary championships. “
As for Ko, the new AIG Women’s Open champion, she described her final weeks as a “Cinderella story” as she pursued an Olympic gold medal with her third major name, and first in eight years.
Speaking after the win, Ko said: “It’s quite surreal. Winning the gold medal in Paris a few weeks ago was too smart to be true. I thought, ‘How can I imagine winning the AIG Women’s?'”In the last few weeks I had a story that was very similar to Cinderella’s.
“Of all the major championships, this is the one I had the least confidence in, because I had less pleasure in the links and the effects didn’t hold up in either one. So I can’t hold this trophy right now. »
He added: “It’s a special position [St Andrews]. I was lucky enough to play here as an amateur in 2013 when Stacy [Lewis] won. I would never have imagined that 11 years later I would be in her position.
Davies praised Ko after his new triumph: “She’s an absolute superstar and she’s great too!
“Her game is so undeniable that when she plays it, it’s so undeniable to her. He doesn’t seem to feel the pressure like most people.
“It’s one of those things where you wonder how much older he can get. The last 3 weeks he’s had, they’ve been incredible. “
The Ladies European Tour heads to Ireland for the KPMG Women’s Irish Open, starting Thursday on Sky Sports, while the LPGA Tour hosts the inaugural FM Championship at TPC Boston.
There’s also the Curtis Cup in Sunningdale starting Friday, where Great Britain and Ireland take on the United States, while the European team looks to retain the trophy when they take on Team USA. The U. S. at the Solheim Cup on September 13-15. Stream the LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour, and more sports with NOW.
Benson Boone
Oasis
Marie Anne / Niall Horan