Nelly Korda and Lydia Ko made valiant charges for the CP Women’s Open trophy in Sunday’s final round at the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club. Ko, who last held the Rolex Rankings World No. 1 title in 2016, shot a remarkable 8-under 63 to climb six places in the standings and finish fourth in solo. The Kiwi has birdied more than anyone else on the court, carding 10 on the final day and 24 in total. She closed her final round with four birdies in a row to put herself just two strokes behind.

“I played the par-3s really well. They all birdied, and there’s five here, so getting five deuces was definitely helpful for the scoreboard,” Ko said. a lot of things were clicking (on the back nine) Close hit the 10 and… then I birdied the 13 really good. close (the 17) then obviously hit two good shots to get on the green in two on the last (18) When I was out of position I managed to make a good drop or have some lucky and I still managed to birdie putt. Yeah, it was that kind of back nine.

Korda also had an impressive back nine after staying even on the turn. The highlight of the day came on the No. 12 when she drilled for an eagle from the fairway. But an unlucky lip-out for a birdie at 13 and three bogeys throughout the round prevented the great champion from winning or equalizing the lead.

“I had a lot of chances there. I had a shot after the eagle that completely turned me 360, but that’s golf,” she said with a laugh. “You make a hole and then you get a really bad lip and it really humbles you there.”

Korda’s T2 finish is her second of the year – she won her first at the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give after losing in the playoffs to Jennifer Kupcho – and is expected to move into second place in the Rolex rankings, overtaking Minjee Lee. Although leaving without a win is disappointing for the seven-time LPGA Tour champion, she is grateful for every chance she has to play after a blood clot in her left arm took her out of the game earlier this season. .

“I’m just grateful to be playing golf and being here, and enjoying every second of it,” Korda said. “The game is moving in the right direction. I still need to tighten up some details, I think, maybe improve in a few different areas, but that’s golf. That’s what I love about it. this topic. I feel like you can constantly improve yourself.