Lydia Ko had a dream on Saturday night that she won the HSBC Women’s World Championship. She was disappointed when she woke up and realized she hadn’t even played the final round. Then she went out and won, proving dreams do come true.

Ko shot a three-under 69 at Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore to win her 23rd LPGA event. She won by four shots over Ayaka Furue and Jeeno Thitikul, who finished in a tie for second.

Ko iced the tournament with an improbable 40-foot birdie putt at the 15th hole. She already had the lead, but that sealed it, giving her a four-shot lead with three holes to play. Ko high-fived her caddie, raised her arms, shrugged her shoulders and laughed when the downhill putt went in because she couldn’t believe it either. Such is life when you’re Ko—the third-ranked player in the world—who seems to do everything right. Did we mention that putter?

She won $360,000 and a necklace for her first victory here in 11 appearances at this event.

What it means

Ko is off to another dream season just like she had last year. She has talked about how she’s going to try to have more fun and do new things this season. Winning in Singapore was something new, and she sure looked like she had fun with yet another champagne celebration on the green.

Last year when Ko won the gold medal in the Paris Olympics, it clinched her spot in the LPGA Hall of Fame. With those two goals checked off the career bucket list, the pressure is off somewhat. She’s won three of the five majors and still needs to win the U.S. Women’s Open and KPMG Women’s PGA Championship to complete the modern career Grand Slam.

Walking up the 18th hole she waved and signed a boy’s hat. Talk about confidence for the usually laser-focused Ko. That’s what a big lead can do.

Ko already has a pair of top-10s after playing in just three events. She also tied for sixth in the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions. This win was the 113th top-10 finish of her career.

How it happened

Ko shot 71-67-68-69 to win at 13-under-par 275. The 27-year-old birdied three consecutive holes on the front nine—holes 6, 7 and 8—to give her a cushion. She trailed by one shot after 36 holes and led by one shot after 54 holes.

Charley Hull was one shot off the lead heading into the final round. After missing a short putt to bogey the seventh hole, Hull fell five shots behind Ko and out of contention. She finished with a two-over 74.

By the time Ko hit the turn, she was in control and no one could challenge her. She made one mistake on Sunday, a missed short putt at the 11th hole and her lead was down to three. That’s as close as the field would get.

Furue made a charge and birdied the 15th to pull within three. Moments later, Ko birdied the 13th hole and just like that the lead was back to four.

Ko was supported with a gallery of countless fans. She had what amounts to as a victory lap all days as many of her fans held signs they made for her. She spent lots of time signing autographs all week. The New Zealander certainly felt the love in what was seemingly a home away from home.

Best of the rest

Hull started the day one shot back of Ko but much of the day was a struggle and she shot a two-over 74 and never put the pressure on Ko. She tied for fourth. Furue and Thitikul both played well but didn’t have enough to catch Ko and both tied for second. Furue shot a final-round 68 and Thitikul a 70. Thitikul had 12 top-10 finishes last year and she added another one.

Nine of the top 10 ranked players in the world (everyone but No. 1 Nelly Korda) played in the event and three—Ko, Thitikul and Hull—finished in the top 10.

Defending champion Hannah Green shot a one-under 71 and tied for seventh.

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Andrew Redington

Quotable

“To win here in Singapore and get all the love, not only this year but for the years I’ve come, means a lot. It’s exciting to add Asia’s major to my major collection.” —Lydia Ko on winning in Singapore

Main Image: Jason Butler