Jin Young Ko victorious at Tour Championship, overtakes Nelly Korda to win LPGA player of the year

NAPLES, Fla. — Facing high stakes against her toughest opponent, Jin Young Ko delivered a performance that was close to perfect Sunday to win the richest prize in women’s golf and overtake Nelly Korda for LPGA player of the year.

Ko opened with a 25-foot birdie putt and never looked back in the CME Group Tour Championship. She shot 30 on the front nine and closed with the low round of the tournament at 9-under 63 for a one-shot victory over Nasa Hataoka of Japan.

So flawless was Ko that she hit the final 63 greens in regulation at Tiburon Golf Club.

“I don’t know what happened out there,” said Ko, who has been coping with a left wrist injury since May that limited her practice before rounds. “This week was amazing.”

This victory brought big spoils, beyond the $1.5 million to the winner.

The 26-year-old South Korean had to win the tournament to claim the points-based LPGA player of the year award, the second time in three years Ko has won it.

“I tried to play aggressive and I got it and I’m so happy,” Ko said of surpassing Korda. “She had three more wins this year. She hits it straight and too far, and [her putting is] so good. I was a little bit more lucky than her, so I got this.”

Korda’s big year of becoming a major champion and Olympic gold medalist ended with a thud. She couldn’t keep pace at the start Sunday and was never a serious factor when Ko pulled away on the back nine. The 23-year-old American closed with a 69 and tied for fifth, six shots behind.

“It was the Jin Young Ko show today, and honestly, it was cool to see,” Korda said. “I just sat back and watched all day.”

Ko won the season finale for the second straight year, and this took all she had. She started the final round in a four-way tie for the lead with Korda, Hataoka and Celine Boutier and quickly left everyone in her wake with four birdies on the opening six holes.

Hataoka tried…