Lydia Ko was standing in the fairway of the first playoff hole against Perth’s Minjee Lee at the LPGA’s MEDIHEAL Championship, 214 metres away at Lake Merced Golf Club’s par-5 18th hole. As she was preparing to go for the green in two, the possibility of claiming her 15th LPGA Tour title, but her first since 2016, was enough to make it among the most daunting shots of her career.
So how did she respond? How about almost holing the shot for an albatross.
Of all the clutch moments in the young but successful career of the newly turned 21-year-old, this is undoubtedly one of the ‘clutchest’, particularly given the moment.
It’s a must-see, and one of the most impressive pressure shots of the year (and with a 3-wood):
What a way to finish! Lydia Ko just locked up her first LPGA win since 2016! pic.twitter.com/52rCEnxogS
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) April 30, 2018
Of the shot, Ko said of her thoughts of the ball in the air: “I didn’t really know how close it was going to be.”
Turns out, it almost went in the hole for a walk-off albatross.
Ko went onto make the three-footer for the eagle to defeat Lee, who made a gritty birdie on the hole, having birdied the 71st and 72nd holes in regulation play to force overtime, the first via a holed bunker shot:
.@minjeegolf to tie the lead when it matters most!!
Watch @MEDIHEALChamp now on @GolfChannel pic.twitter.com/rbPRDu3Id0
— LPGA (@LPGA) April 30, 2018
Welcome back to the winner’s circle, Lydia!
Unforgettable final round by Lydia Ko
Watch highlights @MEDIHEALChamp: pic.twitter.com/3QgkuHjvuI
— LPGA (@LPGA) April 30, 2018