Meadow and Maguire reflect on memorable seasons as Ko claims Tour Championship
CME Group CEO Terry Duffy (L) fist bumps Jin Young Ko of Korea after she won the CME Group Tour Championship. Photo Credit: 2020 Getty Images
Stephanie Meadow and Leona Maguire reflected on successful seasons as world number one Jin Young Ko took her month’s earnings to €1.34 million grabbed with victory in the CME Group Tour Championship in Florida.
The South Korean (25) scorched home in 31, carding a six-under par 66 at Tiburón Golf Club in Naples to win the Tour Championship for the first time in just her fourth LPGA Tour start this year and the money title despite playing just four events.
She came from a shot behind defending champion and overnight leader Sei Young Kim, leaving the field for dead as won win by five shots from Kim (72) and Australia’s Hannah Green (67) on 18-under par.
“I still can't believe it am I here and then I won this tournament,” said Ko, who spent the Covid-hit year in Korea but qualified for the Tour Championship from just three starts, finishing 34th in the Pelican Women’s Championship, fifth in the Volunteers of America Classic and tied second in last week’s US Women’s Open.
After winning €900,000 yesterday, she took her month’s earnings to a whopping €1.34 million but it was also a great season for Meadow and Maguire, who will return to LPGA Tour action at the end of February.
Galgorm Castle professional Meadow (28) tied for 38th on one-under, finishing her best ever season 55th in the money list with earnings of €183,000 from 15 starts.
“Friday killed me but there are still lots of positives for the year,” said Meadow, who shot rounds of 70, 76, 69 and 72. “After my best season so far, I’m looking forward to next season and excited to keep going.”
It was also a successful rookie season for Slieve Russell National star Maguire (26), who closed with a three-over 75 to tie for 46th on one-over.
“Overall it’s been a very consistent year, made a lot of cuts and got a lot of experience,” said Leona, who missed just three cuts and finished 65th in the money list with €148,145 from 14 starts. “I’m told I led the tour in putting which is pretty cool so plenty of positives heading into 2021.”
Kim won the 2020 Rolex Player of the Year. Kim earned 118 points thanks to wins at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the Pelican Women’s Championship and three additional top-10 finishes at the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions (T7), Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio (5th) and Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G (T5)
My PNC championship review. @pgatour @pgatourchampions pic.twitter.com/YADUVxHa8q
— Padraig Harrington (@padraig_h) December 20, 2020
Meanwhile, Tiger Woods and his son Charlie (11) were the clear winners in the popularity stakes in the PNC Championship in Orlando.
Wearing a red shirt and black slacks to match his father’s traditional Sunday apparel, the youngster gave another impressive performance as they carded a second successive 62 to finish seventh on 20-under.
“I don’t think words can describe it,” Woods said as they finished five shots behind Justin and Mike Thomas, whose 57 gave them a one-shot win over Vijay Singh and his son Qass on 25-under.
“Just the fact that we were able to have this experience together, Charlie and I, it’s memories for a lifetime.”
Pádraig Harrington and his son Paddy shot 66 to finish 20th on nine-under.
