Olympics 2024: Lydia Ko wins gold, praised by Donald Trump for historic Olympic achievement

Gold medalist Lydia Ko clearly has a fan in former US President Donald Trump.

The Kiwi overcame plenty of nervous moments in her final round at Le Golf National in Paris to claim gold and become the first golfer to complete a full set of Olympic medals in what will be her final Games.

Ko’s efforts caught the eye of Trump, who is seeking a second term in the White House as the Republican Party candidate.

“Congratulations to Lydia Ko on winning the Olympic gold medal in golf,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth.

“I met her at Trump Turnberry in Scotland, and she is most impressive, not only with her golf clubs but also as a person.

“Way to go Lydia!”

Ko began the fourth and final round in a tie for the lead and certainly wasn’t flawless - a double-bogey on the 13th was particularly shaky - but managed to pair enough blemishes with class to claim the one shade of medal missing on her mantlepiece; after silver in Rio and bronze in Tokyo.

She was part of New Zealand’s greatest day at the Olympics, with Dame Lisa Carrington and Hamish Kerr also winning gold.

No other golfer of any gender has won more than one Olympic medal. Ko told media it would be her last competition at the Games, not returning at the Riviera Golf Club in Los Angeles in 2028.

“I feel like I knew internally it was my last Olympics and it was but I didn’t want to say it till after it was done.

“The tears were not just because of that moment [winning gold] but everything that’s happened in my career.”

Ko’s victory also guarantees her an induction into the LPGA Hall of Fame, getting the final point after achieving a medal set that may never be equalled by man or woman.

Hear it as it happens with live commentary of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on GOLD SPORT & iHeartRadio, plus comprehensive coverage on Newstalk ZB.