Lydia KO: First Golfer to win Gold, Silver and Bronze in Olympics

**Lydia Ko Makes History with Gold Medal Victory at Paris Olympics, Becomes Youngest to Qualify for LPGA Hall of Fame**

New Zealand’s Lydia Ko has solidified her place in golfing history by becoming the youngest player to qualify for the LPGA Hall of Fame. Her gold medal triumph at the Paris Olympics, achieved with a stellar 10-under final score at Le Golf National, capped off a remarkable journey that has spanned multiple Olympic Games.

Ko’s journey to Olympic glory has been marked by perseverance and resilience. After winning a silver medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics and a bronze at the Tokyo 2020 Games, Ko entered the Paris Games with a singular focus: to claim the elusive gold medal. Her determination paid off as she delivered a masterful performance, finishing two strokes ahead of Germany’s Esther Henseleit, who secured the silver medal, and three strokes clear of China’s Xiyu Lin, who took the bronze.

The final round of the tournament began with Ko tied for the lead at 9-under alongside Swiss golfer Morgane Metraux, who had been a surprise frontrunner throughout the first three rounds. The field was stacked with some of the game’s top players, including Rose Zhang, Atthaya Thitikul, Nelly Korda, French favorite Celine Boutier, Ruoning Yin, and eventual bronze medalist Xiyu Lin.

Saturday’s round proved to be a test of nerves, with several high-profile players struggling under the pressure. Nelly Korda, the world’s No. 1 player and defending Olympic gold medalist, was one of the day’s biggest surprises. Korda had enjoyed an extraordinary season, breaking records and securing her second major title, but her Olympic campaign in Paris did not go as planned. Despite a promising start with three birdies on the front nine, Korda’s hopes were dashed by a disastrous back nine, including a seven on the 15th hole. She ultimately finished tied for 22nd at 1-under.

Morgane Metraux, who had led the tournament through the first three days, also faltered on the final day. The 27-year-old Swiss golfer, who had seemed poised for a breakthrough victory, struggled with several bogeys, causing her once-commanding lead to evaporate.

In contrast, Germany’s Esther Henseleit emerged as the Cinderella story of the tournament. Henseleit, who had yet to win on the LPGA Tour, delivered the round of her life on the final day, finishing at 8-under to claim the silver medal. Her performance in Paris was the biggest achievement of her career, showcasing her potential on one of golf’s grandest stages.

However, the day belonged to Lydia Ko. Ko maintained her composure throughout the final round, holding a slim lead as she approached the 18th hole. With the gold medal and a place in the LPGA Hall of Fame on the line, Ko delivered a clutch birdie, securing a two-stroke victory and claiming the Olympic gold medal she had long sought.

Ko’s victory in Paris marked her 27th career title, fulfilling the final requirement for induction into the LPGA Hall of Fame. Reflecting on the significance of the moment before the tournament, Ko had expressed her excitement at the possibility of earning her Hall of Fame spot with an Olympic gold. “It would be a hell of a way to do it,” she told The Associated Press.

As the realization of her achievement set in, Ko was visibly emotional, shedding tears of joy and relief. The moment was made even more poignant when golf legend Annika Sorenstam placed the gold medal around Ko’s neck, symbolizing a passing of the torch from one generation to the next.

With her historic victory in Paris, Lydia Ko not only completed her Olympic journey but also cemented her legacy as one of the greatest golfers of all time. She is now the first golfer—male or female—to win three Olympic medals, a testament to her extraordinary talent, determination, and resilience.