Story perspectives

Lydia Ko Shoots 12-Under 60 at LPGA Ford Championship

3/27/2026

Summary

Story summary

Lydia Ko achieved a career-best score of 12-under-par 60 in the first round of the LPGA Tour Ford Championship at Whirlwind Golf Club, Arizona.
She began with four consecutive birdies and ended with two more, just missing the historic sub-60 mark.
This round is only the ninth of 60 or lower in LPGA history.
Defending champion Hyo Joo Kim scored 61, closely trailing Ko.
Ko credited her success to a recent putter change and maintained a calm mindset during the round.

History

Historical Context

Title IX, enacted in 1972, prohibited gender discrimination in education and sports, significantly advancing women's athletics. The LPGA, established in 1950, has celebrated milestones like Judy Rankin's sudden-death playoff victory in the 1972 Lady Eve Open. Lydia Ko's recent 12-under-par 60 exemplifies the ongoing evolution of women's golf, inspiring future generations to excel in athletics.

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Story summary

Lydia Ko achieved a career-best score of 12-under-par 60 in the first round of the LPGA Tour Ford Championship at Whirlwind Golf Club, Arizona.
She began with four consecutive birdies and ended with two more, just missing the historic sub-60 mark.
This round is only the ninth of 60 or lower in LPGA history.
Defending champion Hyo Joo Kim scored 61, closely trailing Ko.
Ko credited her success to a recent putter change and maintained a calm mindset during the round.

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