Ko became only the fourth LPGA Tour player to follow up rookie honors with being Player of the Year, following Nancy Lopez, Beth Daniel and Annika Sorenstam.
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The South Korean-born Kiwi golfer carded a three-under 69 to earn a share of third place, two strokes behind co-leaders Cristie Kerr (66) and Jang Ha Na (69), who set the pace on 205 at the Tiburon course in Naples. Stacy Lewis, one of three women who entered the week controlling their destiny in the $1 million race, gave her wedge a smack after needing two shots to escape a bunker at the 16th.
Ko’s birdie putt at the last lipped out and she did not learn she had won the jackpot until after she walked off the green and had a quiet, emotional moment.
“It wasn’t ideal, but I just try and not think about it anymore and kind of go to the next hole, thinking it’s a whole new hole”, she said.
Ko also claimed US$1 million for winning the Race to the CME Globe, the tour’s points race lasting this season.
“There’s a few times I really wanted to maybe quit golf and live a normal life”. If Inbee Park had birdied one of the final two holes, Park and Ko would have had a sudden-death playoff for the $1 million.
Victor No. 2 was world No. 2 Park, who won the Vare Trophy for lowest scoring average with a mark of 69.41 to Ko’s 69.44; she and Ko each won five titles this year.
The same could be said for Ko in a few years if the uber-talented teen continues to barnstorm her way through the LPGA ranks, and there is no reason to believe she will do anything else.
Park is ready for an all-or-nothing run for glory after a win last week in Mexico and a solid start in the season ender. Park still has to meet the 10-year playing requirement – which she will fulfill next season – but for all intents and purposes, she has earned her place among the greats of all time.
Park was second in the Globe chase, pocketing a $US150,000 ($A207,000) bonus.
“The lucky thing for me is the 17th hole is a birdie-able hole if you hit a few good shots down there, and I took advantage of that”.
“I don’t think she’s the age she is”, Kerr, 38, said.
She was second at the midway point and was still two shots off the lead with a round to play.
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Lydia Ko is tied for third in the final event but in position to finish the season No. 1.
