“Love her like a daughter” - LPGA Insider sends Lydia Ko a heartfelt message as photo of her crying goes viral

Lydia Ko proved to be the best in the field yet again as she claimed the top spot on the podium at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The LPGA Tour star carded in a final round score of one under par to defeat Germany's Esther Henseleit and China's Xiyu Janet Lin.

The past week saw Ko navigate the challenging Le Golf National course with great skill. The New Zealand native left the gold world in awe of her game and was overcome with emotion as she received the gold medal. As the national anthem played, Ko was spotted bearing tears of pride and joy.

Renowned journalist, Steve Eubanks, took to his X platform to share a heartfelt message for Ko, whom he has known since she was a child. Here's what he wrote:

"It’s one thing to cheer for an athlete, to cry with them as they live out their dreams; it’s another when you’ve known that athlete since she was a child, and when you love her like a daughter. God bless golf’s greatest ambassador and new gold medalist, Lydia Ko."

---

Lydia Ko 2024 Paris Olympics Stats

Having earned a silver medal at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics and the bronze in Tokyo in 2020, Lydia Ko has completed the Olympic medal trifecta. Not only did she accomplish the rare feat, the finish has earned her an entry into the LPGA Tour's Hall of Fame.

Here's a look at Ko's performance at the Le Golf National course this week:

Scores

• 72 (even par)
• 67 (five under par)
• 68 (four under par)
• 71 (one under par)

Birdies

• Round 1 - 4
• Round 2 - 6
• Round 3 - 6
• Round 4 - 4

Pars

• Round 1 - 11
• Round 2 - 11
• Round 3 - 10
• Round 4 - 12

Bogeys

• Round 1 - 2
• Round 2 - 1
• Round 3 - 2
• Round 4 - 1

Double Bogeys

• Round 1 - 1
• Round 2 - 0
• Round 3 - 0
• Round 4 - 1

Fairways Hit

• Round 1 - 7
• Round 2 - 11
• Round 3 - 8
• Round 4 - 10

Greens in Regulations

• Round 1 - 13
• Round 2 - 14
• Round 3 - 12
• Round 4 - 14

Scrambling

• Round 1 - 60 percent
• Round 2 - 75 percent
• Round 3 - 66.67 percent
• Round 4 - 50 percent

Total Putts

• Round 1 - 31
• Round 2 - 27
• Round 3 - 26
• Round 4 - 30

Sand Saves

• Round 1 - NA
• Round 2 - 1
• Round 3 - NA
• Round 4 - 1

Driving Distance

• Round 1 - 247 yards
• Round 2 - 245 yards
• Round 3 - 244 yards
• Round 4 - 245 yards

Driving Accuracy

• Round 1 - 50 percent
• Round 2 - 78.57 percent
• Round 3 - 57.14 percent
• Round 4 - 71.43 percent

Approach Shot Distance to Pin

• Round 1 - 10.16
• Round 2 - 12.52
• Round 3 - 8.45
• Round 4 - 10.02

Strokes Gained - Off the Tee

• Round 1 - 0.644
• Round 2 - 1.094
• Round 3 - 1.208
• Round 4 - 0.238

Strokes Gained - Approach to the Green

• Round 1 - 1.406
• Round 2 - 0.239
• Round 3 - 0.756
• Round 4 - (-1.136)

Strokes Gained - Around the Green

• Round 1 - (-0.271)
• Round 2 - 1.880
• Round 3 - (-0.172)
• Round 4 - 0.193

Strokes Gained - Putting

• Round 1 - 0.341
• Round 2 - 2.510
• Round 3 - 3.323
• Round 4 - 1.825

Strokes Gained - Total

• Round 1 - 2.120
• Round 2 - 5.723
• Round 3 - 5.115
• Round 4 - 1.120