Lydia Ko has ended what was set to be a year to forget with a victory, taking out the inaugural Grant Thorton Invitational alongside Australian PGA Tour player Jason Day.
The Anzac duo won the PGA/LPGA co-sanctioned event in Florida by one shot, finishing at 26-under to beat Canadian duo Brooke Henderson and Corey Conners by one shot.
Ko failed to record a win on the LPGA Tour this past season with three top 10 finishes, which saw her finish 100th on the season rankings and missing out on a place in the CME Group Tour Championship. The win today is Ko’s 27th professional title.
The world number 11 hit a stunning approach on the par five 17th hole, with a fairway wood from 208 yards to lead to a birdie putting Ko and Day into the sole lead.
Ko and Day shot a six-under 66 in a modified four-ball format. They share a US$1m winner’s cheque. It’s Ko’s biggest payday of the year with her previous best being a share of third at BMW Ladies Championship, which earned her US$147,030.