Lydia Ko follows 'too good to be true' Olympics with third major win

Aug. 26 (UPI) -- Golfer Lydia Ko thought her gold medal run was "too good to be true" at Paris 2024, but she reaffirmed her podium placement by continuing her hot streak with a Women's British Open title at St Andrews Golf Club.

Ko fired a 3-under 69 over her final 18 holes Sunday in Scotland. Her third major title came just three weeks after she won gold and became the first golfer in history to earn all three Olympic medals in golf.

"It's been a crazy past few weeks, something that was too good to be true happen," Ko told reporters Sunday.

"I honestly didn't think it could be any better and here I am as the AIG Women's Open Champion this week, and being here at the Old Course at St Andrews makes it so much more special. I just loved being out there."

Ko carded four birdies and a bogey over her final 18 holes to finish at 7-under-par, two shots better than the field. South Korean Jiyai Shin, China's Ruoning Yin and Americans Nelly Korda and Lilia Vu tied for second place at 5-under.

Ko started the final round three strokes behind Shin, who led through three rounds at 7-under. Vu, the reigning champion, was one shot behind Shin.

Shin, who also held a two-shot lead on Korda, fired a 2-over 74 over her final 18 holes. Vu was 1-over, while Korda was even par Sunday at St Andrews.

Ko made par on eight of her first nine holes. She made birdie on No. 4 and was 1-under through the front nine. Ko birdied No. 10 and made par on her next three holes. She made another birdie on No. 14 before a bogey on No. 15. Ko made par on Nos. 16 and 17 before finishing the round with a birdie.

Vu had a chance to tie Ko and force a playoff with a birdie No. 18, but came up short on a long putt, securing the title for her foe.

"I just wanted to finish in a way I could be proud of -- not just the score, but with my commitment and my approach to these shots," Ko said.

Ko, 27, won her last major at the 2016 Chevron Championship. She won her first major crown at the 2015 Evian Championship. She was the No. 12 player in last week's Women's World Golf Rankings.

The LPGA season will continue with the FM Championship. That tournament will be held from Thursday through Sunday at TPC Boston in Norton, Mass.