World No. 1 Jin Young Ko, lifted the CME Group trophy, the closing tournament of the LPGA season, edging her compatriot Sei Young Kim and tied second of Australia's Hannah Green by five points. Perrine Delacour and Céline Boutier finished well, respectively 13th and 19th. on the course in Naples, Florida.

Jin Young Ko takes over CME Group, final title of LPGA season

Jin Young Ko - © Getty Images / AFP

Korea's Jin Young Ko shone once again, despite her absence for most of the season. This new victory on Sunday, along with the $ 1,1 million bonus, added to her second place finish at the US Women's Open last week propelled Ko to the top of the American Tour's winning list.

Ko has only participated in four tournaments in 2020 on the LPGA, compared to six appearances on the Korean LPGA due to the coronavirus pandemic.
With a last card of 66 in the last round, the world number 1 finally won in this CME Group Tour Championship as she is five strokes ahead of Hannah Green and Sei Young Kim.

"I still can't believe it, that I'm here, that I won this tournament"said Ko.

With a birdie on the last hole, for the last putt of the season, Ko finished on a solid 67 (-5) - 18 total for her seventh career victory - on her 24th birthday - helped her to qualify for second place in the Race.

Kim, who took a one-shot lead in the last round, played in the par and that was enough for her to take the Rolex Player of the Year honors. Danielle Kang won the Vare Trophy for the lowest average.

"To be honest, this looks like a pretty solid sison in 2020"said Kang.

The victory ended a dotted year for the world No.1, who has led the earnings charts since July 29, 2019. She rose to $ 5 in career earnings, making her the 600st player in the league. the history of the LPGA to cross the threshold of $ 824 million.

His Sunday approach was pretty straightforward: "I just (thought), OK, there are 18 holes left and I'm going home"said Jin Young Ko.

Kim's realistic hopes for victory came to an end when she let a 25-foot putt pass for the too short par on 15. But the victory for the player of the year award which has remained in control did not escape her.

Mina Harigae finished in 68 (-12), alone in fourth place, the best result of her career on the LPGA Tour.

Lexi Thompson played 70 (-2) - 11 total tied with Lydia Ko for fifth place.

Sunday marked the end of the season of 18 events on the LPGA Tour, reduced to almost half by the pandemic, closed for 5 and a half months from mid-February to the end of July. 34 events are planned for next season, starting with the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., January 21-24.

Delacour and Boutier in the top 20
At -7 in total, the Picardie Perrine Delacour managed to keep her 13th place with a card of 72 (2 birdies, 2 bogeys). She is suddenly ahead of Parisian Céline Boutier who closed the tournament with a second consecutive card of 70, who confided to be very happy to finish the season on a blank bogey card!

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LPGA: Sei Young Kim in the lead, Delacour 13th, Boutier 19th