Lydia Ko comes up short at the Kia Classic as Cristie Kerr wins her first LPGA Tour event in since 2013, but the 17-year-old world No. 1 extends her streak of consecutive rounds under par to 28.
Cristie Kerr, who joined the LPGA Tour four months before Lydia Ko was born, rallied to overtake the 17-year-old world No. 1 and 54-hole leader Mirim Lee to win the Kia Classic by two shots.
Kerr, 37, fired a final-round 7-under 65 on Sunday to win her first tour title since May 2013. She had nine birdies, including four straight on the back nine, and two bogeys in the finale to finish at 20-under, a new tournament record.
Lee made things close with an eagle on the par-4 16th but shot herself out of contention with a double-bogey on 17 and came in second. Ko was third at 17-under, thanks to a 67 in the fourth round that stretched her streak of consecutive sub-par rounds to 28.
Kerr began the day three shots off the pace and vied with Ko and Lee for the lead much of the afternoon. A two-putt birdie after driving the green on the par-4 16th hole essentially nailed down her 17th tour victory and first since the Kingsmill Championship nearly two years ago.
"I love to win," said an emotional Kerr, whose caddie’s father died a week ago. "Golf has always been great to me, it’s always given me special moments like this ... That’s why I play the game."
Ko seemed to have the contest well in hand after making the turn in 5-under 31. She took the lead with a birdie on the par-3 14th after nailing her tee shot.
Is that any good? Lydia Ko (-17) with a 6-iron stuffs it on 169-yard par-3 @LPGA @KiaClassic https://t.co/0a5ALhsmD6
— Emily Kay (@golfexaminer) March 29, 2015
That was Ko’s final birdie of the day. She ended with an uncharacteristic 3-putt on 18 and while her putter cooled off, Kerr was on fire.
For Kerr, the Kia W was also her first since she became a mother in 2013.
In the Winner's Circle with @CKGolferChic @LPGAKiaClassic http://ift.tt/1MndO2n
— LPGA (@LPGA) March 30, 2015
Though she did not compile a seventh tour win, Ko will roll into the season’s first major, the ANA Inspiration, as one of the clear favorites. She also has an opportunity to tie and shatter the all-time LPGA record for consecutive rounds under par. Annika Sorenstam set the mark of 29 in 2004.
She would also become the youngest golfer to win a major. The youngster recognized the spotlight would be on her and conceded it would be "a tough week." She said she would have to bring her "A" game, but, as always, appeared unburdened by any pressure.
"I'm just going to try and have fun," said Ko. "Hopefully I'll hit some really good shots, make some good putts and give myself a good run for it."
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