The American Nelly Korda, world No. 1, became Olympic golf champion, after the fourth and final round of the women’s Olympic tournament played on Saturday in Kawagoe.
Korda, the youngest daughter of former Czech tennis player Petr Korda, won with a total of 267 (-17) and emulated her compatriot Xander Sc Chaudele crowned in the men’s category. The 23-year-old golfer edged silver medalist Mone Inami from Japan and bronze medalist Lydia Ko from New Zealand. Tied at the end of the fourth round, Inami and Ko were separated after a jump-off.
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After her victory, Nelly Korda fell into the arms of her older sister Jessica, 28, also in the Games (15th, 8 strokes). Nelly Korda thus ended a successful season during which she won her first Grand Slam title, the LPGA championship, in June, and rose to first place in the world rankings. During the Olympic tournament, Korda had to face a storm and the double competition of Inami, hope of the host country and Ko, silver medalist in Rio.
After an hour of interruption due to weather conditions, Inami joined Korda in the lead thanks to a birdie on the 17th hole. But on the last hole, the Japanese saw her dreams of a gold medal fly by sending her ball into the bunker and conceding a bogey. She ultimately finished tied with Ko.
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