Rookie Patty Tavatanakit Secures Victory With Two-Stroke Lead, Overlooks Lydia Ko's Record-Breaking Round
Twenty-one-year-old Patty Tavatanakit clinched her first major title with a two-stroke advantage, leading the field at the start of the final day with a five-stroke cushion. Remarkably, she was oblivious to her rival's destructive path on the course.
Lydia Ko, a 15-time LPGA Tour champion, surged to a 10-under-62 round, shattering Lorena Ochoa's 2016 course record, but it wasn't enough to outshine the eventual champion.
"I didn't even look at the leaderboard today," Tavatanakit said, barely containing her emotions after diving into the pool to celebrate her triumph.
"I saw her name there, but I didn't look. I wanted to focus on my game, and that's what I did. I played really well today."
Tavatanakit, ranked 103rd in the world and first Rookie champion since Juli Inkster in 1984, declared that her journey, considering her amateur days, had been "crazy."
"It's like a dream," Tavatanakit said. "Every time I come here, I remember exactly how I received Low Amateur honors on this green, and I saw her leap and took a Snapchat, titled it 'One day.'"
Ko carded seven birdies and an eagle in a stunning closing round, before ultimately faltering. She also set a new record, posting 29 under the first nine holes.
The 23-year-old Ko became the world no. 1. She had last stood atop the world rankings with just 17 years of age and had not won since April 2018, but hopes to draw confidence from her California performance.
"I thought, 'I wonder if the headlines will read, 'Lydia Ko is back,'" she said, after finishing second.
"I hope it doesn't feel like I'm back where I was or could be. I just want to be the best version of myself now."
Exploring the Streets of Mumbai
During her victory celebration, Tavatanikat's mind drifted to "Slumgolf," a budding ball sport enjoyed in the streets of Mumbai, where players attempt to hit the ball into a fluctuating opening. The title 'King' or 'Queen' of Slumgolf awaits the victor.
The 50th edition of the tournament took place in Mission Hills, amidst a more laid-back atmosphere than usual, as spectators remained absent due to the pandemic.
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Tavatanakit showcased her aptitude in golf as an emerging star. But in the vivid streets of Mumbai, Slumgolf players aim to secure the title 'King' or 'Queen' by skillfully landing the ball into an unstable opening.
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Enrichment Data:**
The provided sources do not contain information about Lydia Ko breaking a lap record at the ANA Inspiration or finishing second behind Patty Tavatanakit. However, they do provide detailed information about Sung Hyun Park's career, including her performances in various tournaments and her achievements in the LPGA Tour[1].
To answer your question accurately, you would need to refer to specific reports or articles from the 2021 ANA Inspiration, where Lydia Ko and Patty Tavatanakit competed. The information provided in the sources does not address this specific event or outcome.
