Another Major for Lydia

At the ANA Inspiration in Rancho Mirage we once again witnessed Lydia Ko relentlessly pursue and ultimately win her second Major with a perfect wedge shot to the par five eighteenth for a tap-in birdie.  She is, of course, the youngest ever to win two Majors.  One wonders whether, if she doesn't lose her desire, there are any records she won't break.

On the other hand we were once again forced to witness Arya Jutanugarn, who held the lead much of the day, fall prey to nerves down the stretch and fall away.  Golf can be a cruel game, and we can only hope that Arya can take something positive away from another very public failure.  She is obviously a wonderful talent and, if she can keep putting herself in the hunt, hopefully she can get it done.  The first one is always the hardest.

At eighteen years of age, with 12 wins in 72 starts, including back to back Majors, one has to think Lydia Ko is the greatest young player, male or female, we've ever seen.  This young lady is so composed, so unflappable, you have to think she has ice water running through her veins.  It's incredible to watch.  

If we are inclined to accuse Arya of choking, we might first ask ourselves how many times we needed three pars, or even three bogeys, to shoot our lowest round ever, or to win our flight in the club championship, and actually managed to do it.  In fact, today I had a four footer for birdie on the last hole to break par for the first time this year.  I lipped out the putt.  Golf is a hard game.