The 2025 HSBC Women’s World Championship single-handedly quashed all stereotypes that golf tournaments were predictable after Lydia Ko finally took home the coveted trophy at the annual tournament.
Her last 10 appearances at the prestigious tournament have always culminated in disappointment, but the 11th time’s clearly the charm for the New Zealander, who signed off with a final round three-under-par 69 to clinch her 23rd LPGA title with a winning total of 13-under-par 275. The emotional win comes after a four-day battle with some of the world’s best golfers, from World No. 3 Ruoning Yin and World No. 5 Lilia Vu, to previous champion Hannah Green, who currently ranks 6th.
But the 27-year-old isn’t stranger to taking the podium; Ko also won gold at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, an achievement that joins her title as a three-time major winner. The intense showdown between her and Thailand’s Jeeno Thitikul and Japan’s Ayaka Furue (both tied second) left spectators at the edge of their seats until the 18th hole, when she made a closing par to seal the victory.
“I just wanted to play steady. I started off really consistently. I hit a lot of greens, and I think that was going to be the big key. I knew that Jeeno and Charley hit it much further than me,” said Ko.
“The distance wasn’t going to be to my advantage, but as long as I played steady golf and just give myself good looks for birdies, I felt like some of them were going to drop. I felt a lot better coming into this event than a few weeks ago. I didn’t know if I would win. But to win here in Singapore and get all the love, not only this year but for the years that I’ve come, it means a lot. It’s also exciting to add Asia’s Major to my major collection.”
SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE – MARCH 02: Shannon Tan of Singapore tees off on the first hole during Day Four of the HSBC Women’s World Championship 2025 at Sentosa Golf Club on March 02, 2025 in Singapore. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images/HSBC Women’s World Championship)
Finishing fourth was England’s Charley Hull, who posted a 74 to finish in a share of fourth place with Mexico’s Gaby Lopez and South Korea’s Im Jin-hee. Local pro Shannon Tan also forged a new milestone at the HSBC Women’s World Championship when she finished in 34th place – the best result by a Singaporean in the history of the tournament.
“It (her result) means a lot for Singapore golf. I would say in the last few years the standard of Singapore golf has gotten better. Hiroshi will be teeing up at the Masters next month. And I guess, also, as a whole, you get to see a lot more junior golfers out there picking up the game. This week it was just me versus the golf course,” said Tan.
The 2025 edition has only just culminated, but we’re already waiting with bated breath to see if the newly minted HSBC Women’s World Championship victor will be able to defend her title next year.
Catch all the highlights on the tournament here, and stay tuned for our interview with Lydia Ko.
Lifestyle Asia Singapore is the proud media partner of the 2025 HSBC Women’s World Championship.