Jin Young Ko scorched the Tiburon Golf Club to the tune of 9-under 63 to claim victory at the 2021 CME Group Tour Championship.
Ko, who entered Sunday’s finale tied for the lead, pulled away from the pack with a sizzling front-nine score of 6-under 30. The Korean star added three more birdies on Nos. 11, 13, and 17 to sign for a four-day scorecard of 23-under par, a tournament record.
With the win – her fifth of the season, Ko secured a second consecutive Rolex Player of the Year award. Ko joined Sei Re Pak and Inbee Park as the only Koreans to win five or more times in an LPGA Tour season.
“I don’t have pressure on the course. I just want to better play than the other players. So, I did it, and, yeah,” said Ko.
“Also, I’m happy to make like my best career score today, 63; 64 was my best score, record, but I crushed it and it’s so happy.”
Nasa Hataoka carded a final-day 8-under 64 to finish 22 under.
Mina Harigae (67) and Celine Boutier (68) were tied for third on 18 under, one clear of Megan Khang (66), Nelly Korda (69), and Minjee Lee (66), who rounded out the top-5 finishers.
2021 CME Group Tour Championship
Leaderboard: Top 10
Pos-Player-Score (Final Rd)
1. Jin Young Ko -23 (-9)
2. Nasa Hataoka -22 (-8)
3. Celine Boutier -18 (-4)
3. Mina Harigae -18 (-5)
5. Megan Kang -17 (-6)
5. Nelly Korda -17 (-3)
5. Minjee Lee -17 (-6)
8. Lexi Thompson -16 (-4)
9. In Gee Chun -15 (-7)
9. Lydia Ko -15 (-6)
9. Gaby Lopez -15 (-2)
