Lydia Co has completed what she described as a Cinderella likee Story by winning the women's open at St Andrews on Sunday just weeks after capturing Olympic gold in Paris the 27-year-old from New Zealand shot a three under 69 in her final round including a birdie on the 18th hole to finish at seven under for the tournament and claim her third major title along with 4425 million in prize money Co finished Two Shots ahead of a four-way tie for second place which included world no one Nelly Yin ruing defending Champion Lilia Vu and Shinji Ked said during the Trophy presentation it feels incredibly surreal winning gold in Paris was almost too good to be true heading into the weekend I was in contention and wondered how it was possible for me to win the open these past few weeks have felt like a fairy tale and holding this trophy now is almost unbelievable Co started the final round three shots behind South Korea's Shin who led after 54 holes a birdie on the fourth hole marked the beginning of her charge a strong performance from Corda who briefly took the lead with a series of birdies a double bogey on the par five 15th hole caused her to fall back creating a tie for the lead between Co and shin a birdie from Vu on the 14th hole led to a four-way tie at the top with just four holes remaining Co was the first of the leaders to finish setting a clubhouse lead at seven under her final hole birdie as the final competitors struggled Corda and shin both bogied the 17th and vu's three putt on the 18th handed the title to co starting the 16th hole Two Shots behind CO's dramatic finish capped off a successful few weeks following her Olympic gold completing her medal collection after winning silver and bronze in previous Summer Games after her Victory Co looked back on her career journey and the path that led her to her third major title I've experienced many highs and lows from 2015 to 2024 she said in her press Com when things are going well it's easy to forget the struggles but when things aren't feels like the tough times will never end I'm fortunate to be a major champion and now a two-time major winner I've got nothing to lose Co recalled a conversation with her husband from last year where he asked if she would prefer having their dog over winning another major her response was clear I want to have Kai she expressed her pride in winning a major championship likening her new role as a wife and mother the joy of winning titles even if it meant giving up my third major win I wouldn't trade it but now I have both which is pretty cool