MAJOR EXCELLENCE
With her victory at the ANA Inspiration, Lydia Ko not only secured her second career major title but also officially qualified for the 2016 Rolex ANNIKA Major Award.
In its third year, the Rolex ANNIKA Major Award recognizes the player who has the best overall performance in women’s majors during a single season. With her victory, Ko earns 60 points toward the honor. Only players who win at least one of the five majors on the LPGA schedule are eligible to receive the award.
“We all know what Annika has done for the game, how she has grown the game, and that is why it is such a cool award under her name,” Ko said. “I’m thrilled that I can be a part of it, obviously there are still four more majors to be played and there are so many great players. I am just going to think of it as one tournament at a time and just to be involved in the running for the Rolex ANNIKA Major Award right now is special. But we will have to see at the end of Evian who is holding the trophy.”
CAREER WEEK FOR HULL
Charley Hull nearly won the whole thing, but her runner-up finish at the ANA Inspiration also marked her career-best finish on the LPGA. Hull shot a final-round, 3-under 69 to finish one shot behind Ko and in a tie for second with In Gee Chun.
“I feel like I’ve been playing great all season, like I put a lot of good work in over Christmas and over New Year, so I feel confident in my game,” said Hull. “I feel like I’m in a good place outside of golf, as well. Like with my friends, I feel like that helps me relax on the golf course, also.”
Hull was 2-over through her first four holes of her final round but rallied on the back nine with four birdies. She said delivering down the stretch and under pressure was a huge takeaway from the week.
“I’m happy because I played some great golf on that back nine. It kind of started from the ninth hole where I made birdie there,” said Hull. “I’m happy. I feel like I can -- I know I can play well under pressure now when I have to get it going, I think, so it kind of helps me with that, making birdies in when you’re down, and that’s what I kind of did out there today. I’m happy I holed that putt on the last, and I’m proud of myself. It feels great. Lydia hit a great shot into the last, and she should be proud of herself.”
Hull said she’ll take a short break after this week and looks forward to continuing her strong play. “I think it’s great. I can’t wait for my next tournament,” said Hull. “I’m going to take three weeks off, but I’m buzzed for the rest of the season.”
NUMBERS TO KNOW
2 – Charley Hull posted a career-best second place finish on Sunday 3 – On Sunday, Lydia Ko became the third player in history to win the ANA Inspiration and the event before an LPGA major. She joins Annika Sorenstam (2001, 2005) and Lorena Ochoa (2008) to achieve this feat.
5 – Five Koreans finished in the top-10; this is the third time this season that five Koreans finished top-10
6 – Brooke Henderson now has six consecutive top-10 finishes; in comparison, she had just four top-10s in all of 2015
10 – Mi Jung Hur scored 10-under-par on the par 5’s this week; the best cumulative score on the par 5’s
17 – Seventeen players made eagle this week; eight on hole No. 18 including two made by Lexi Thompson
41 – Lydia Ko had 41 consecutive holes of par or better starting with hole No. 14 during the second round
Players with Multiple Major Wins Since Start of 2011:
Inbee Park 6
Lydia Ko 2
Stacy Lewis 2
Yani Tseng 2
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