In a thrilling and historic performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Lydia Ko secured the gold medal with a final-round score of 71, finishing two shots ahead of Germany’s Esther Henseleit and three shots ahead of China’s Xiyu Lin, who claimed the silver and bronze medals, respectively. Ko’s victory marked her third Olympic medal, following her bronze in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and silver in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, making her the first golfer in the modern era to achieve this rare feat. This exceptional performance also earned Ko a coveted spot in the LPGA Hall of Fame, becoming the 35th inductee and the youngest under the most recent qualifying criteria.
To qualify for the LPGA Hall of Fame, players must accumulate a minimum of 27 points, with various achievements earning different points, including LPGA tournament wins, Olympic medals, Vare Trophy wins, Player of the Year awards, and major championships. Ko needed one final point to secure her position in the Hall after her 20th career LPGA victory in January 2024. Despite finishing second at the LPGA Drive On Championship, Ko’s gold medal in Paris provided her with the necessary point to solidify her place in the Hall. This milestone also makes her the first active player to enter the Hall since Inbee Park in 2016 and the first member from New Zealand.
During the Paris Olympics, Ko found herself tied for the lead with Switzerland’s Morgane Metraux after 54 holes, both at nine under par. The final round saw early drama as Metraux struggled, allowing Ko to take the lead with birdies on the third and seventh holes. Despite a slight setback with a bogey on the opening hole, Ko maintained her composure and extended her lead to four shots with a birdie on the ninth hole. A few more birdies and pars kept her ahead of the competition until a double-bogey on the 13th hole narrowed the gap with Henseleit, who made a late surge with birdies on the 17th and 18th to challenge Ko’s lead.
Ko’s steady performance under pressure allowed her to maintain her one-shot advantage heading into the final hole. With a well-executed approach shot and a birdie putt on the last hole, Ko secured the gold medal with a two-shot lead, receiving a standing ovation from the spectators. American players Rose Zhang, Nelly Korda, and Lilia Vu finished T8, T22, and T36, respectively. Ko’s victory not only solidified her place in golf history but also showcased her resilience and skill under the intense pressure of Olympic competition.
As a dedicated member of Columbia’s inaugural class of female varsity golfers, Jessica Marksbury has a profound understanding of the game and a keen eye for detail. She brings a unique perspective to her role as an editor at Golf.com, overseeing major projects and producing engaging content for both print and online platforms. Marksbury’s passion for golf shines through in her work, evident in her original interview series, “A Round With,” and her contributions to special projects like GOLF’s Style Issue. Her expertise and dedication to the sport make her a valuable asset to the golf community, providing insightful coverage of the latest events and developments in the world of golf.
