Lydia Ko Comes from Behind to Win Aramco Saudi Ladies International

Golfer Lydia Ko won the Aramco Saudi Ladies International, which brought together top LPGA golfers including some 17 Koreans, in Saudi Arabia last week. 

Sponsored with one of the biggest prize purses by the repressive country's state oil company and sovereign wealth fund, the tournament is part of the Ladies European Tour but allowed 50 non-European golfers ranked among the top 300 in the world to play, along with 10 invitees.

In the fourth and final round on Sunday, the New Zealander, who trailed behind American Lilia Vu until the third round, birdied on the 17th hole to take a lead and finished with an overall 21-under par to win the event for the second time after she did so in 2021, taking home first-prize money of $750,000.

Aditi Ashok of India finished runner-up just one stroke behind Ko, while Vu ended up tied for third along with Belgium's Manon de Roey and Lexi Thompson of the U.S.

The win continued Ko's remarkable streak since returning to the world No. 1 position in November last year after winning the CME Tour Championship and getting married the following month.