Lydia Ko produced an eight-under-par final round to win her first major ©Getty Images

New Zealand’s Lydia Ko has become the youngest winner of a major after producing a stunning final round to win the Evian Championship in France.

The world number two had begun the day with the record in her sights having finished the third round just two shots behind the leader, South Korea’s Mi Hyang Lee, and one adrift of the United States’ Lexi Thompson.

America’s Morgan Pressel had been 18 years, 10 months and nine days old when she had secured her first major title at the ANA Inspiration, but her record looked in danger after Ko had achieved three birdies in her opening nine holes of the day at the Evian Resort Club. 

It proved to be only the start of a superb performance by the Kiwi under pressure as she picked up another five shots on the back nine to end with an eight-under par round of 63, which she had completed with a successful 15-foot putt for birdie.

Her 16-under-par score for the tournament would see her rewarded with a cheque for $487,500 (£317,000/€432,000), in addition to picking up her first major and setting the record of 18 years, four months and 20 days.

“It's a great feeling, today has been unbelievable,” she said afterwards.

“You know, I put myself in a good position going into today, over the last couple of days and I just focused on my game.”

America's Lexi Thompson finished as the runner-up but was six shots adrift of Lydia Ko
America's Lexi Thompson finished as the runner-up but was six shots adrift of Lydia Ko ©Getty Images

Ko’s nearest challenger would prove to be the 20-year-old Thompson who had achieved four birdies early in her round but saw her hopes of victory diminished by a double bogey on the 14th hole which saw her drop back to 10-under-par for the Championship.

China’s Shanshan Feng would finish in the top three after four consistent rounds saw her finish on eight-under-par, while South Korea’s Ilhee Lee and Mi Hyang Lee ended tied for fourth a further shot back.

The latter, who had begun the day in contention to win her first major, endured a difficult day with her round including three bogeys and one double bogey.



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