ST. ANDREWS, Scotland — Lydia Ko approached her husband, Jun Chung, placing her hand gently on his cheek next to the practice putting green. The couple, clearly still in the honeymoon phase, appeared remarkably at ease considering the high-stakes championship they were involved in.

After squeezing in some practice putts, Ko engaged in conversation with the falconer present all week about the impressive bird whose role at the Old Course was to keep bothersome seagulls away. Nearby, on the 18th green, Lilia Vu, the reigning AIG Women’s British Open champion, attempted to secure a birdie to force a playoff at 7 under.

When Vu’s efforts fell short, Ko couldn’t hold back her tears on the practice putting green. Just two weeks after celebrating her Olympic gold medal in Paris, which also earned her a spot in the LPGA Hall of Fame, the 27-year-old finally broke her major championship drought that began in the spring of 2016. As a three-time major champion, Ko joined the ranks of Lorena Ochoa (2007) and Stacy Lewis (2013) as the only other women to win a major title at the iconic Home of Golf.

“Words can’t possibly capture what just occurred,” Ko expressed, after holding off a talented field including World No. 1 Nelly Korda, who struggled with a double bogey on the par-5 14th and a bogey on the challenging Road Hole, finishing two strokes behind alongside former top-ranked players Jiyai Shin and Ruoning Yin.

After Ko birdied the final hole, she took the lead in the clubhouse, prompting her sister and manager, Sura, to remark that everything seemed almost magical in the historic town. Strong winds complicated play for the participants all week, and rain swept in during the closing stages of the tournament.

But just as Ko secured a hard-fought two-stroke win, the clouds gave way to sunshine, marking a fairytale conclusion to a remarkable journey for one of golf’s beloved figures.

During the closing ceremony, when asked about the significance of winning at the Old Course, Ko replied, “It’s like asking whether you prefer your mother or father.”

The audience erupted in applause.

This victory was unexpected for Ko, considering her previous two top-10 finishes at the Women’s Open and her recent learning curve with the uniqueness of links golf. There were several moments throughout the week where Ko found herself chuckling at the unpredictable nature of shots executed in such fierce winds.

Ko won the ANA Inspiration, now known as Chevron, eight years ago when she was still a teenager. The only detail she recalls from that day is covering her nose as she dived into Poppie’s Pond.

As a 21-time LPGA winner, Ko has openly discussed the struggles she faced in her career. Just last year in Portland, after missing a cut, she recalled how she couldn’t taste her barbecue meal with Sura due to the tears in her eyes. She felt adrift.

This emotional journey was evident during their embraces in Paris and at St. Andrews.

“I was so emotionally drained in Paris,” Sura recalled.

Jun, Ko’s husband, regretted missing out on Paris but made the most of St. Andrews. He started playing golf during the pandemic, and his enthusiasm influenced Ko, who agreed to tee off during their honeymoon and even caddied for him last year at an amateur competition. Throughout the week, he had his own tee-times, enjoying courses like Kingsbarns and Dumbarnie Links after his cheering duties ended. He also took a tour of the R&A museum.

When Ko had an early tee time this week, Jun—who works at a tech start-up in San Francisco—would wake up at 4 a.m. to stretch alongside her. On Sunday with a later tee time, they enjoyed some extra sleep and watched their favorite Kiwi golf influencers on YouTube to pass the time.

“I really admire her determination,” Jun mentioned. “I’ve never encountered such a disciplined routine.”

“In tech, I often see CEOs… but her level of determination is unparalleled.”

As the final stretches unfolded in pouring rain and strong winds, Ko demonstrated her Hall of Fame resolve by striking an impressive 3-wood into the Road Hole, setting herself up for a par-birdie conclusion that secured her victory.

The last time the LPGA visited St. Andrews, a bespectacled Ko won the Smyth Salver for low amateur honors while Lewis claimed the title. Much has changed since then, and she has experienced tremendous personal and professional growth.

This could be Ko’s final appearance at the revered Home of Golf, prompting thoughts on how many more major tournaments lie ahead for one of the game’s all-time greats.

With an early flight scheduled for Monday morning, Ko didn’t have elaborate celebration plans. They had considered enjoying Thai cuisine on Sunday night but were concerned it might be closed.

“Typically, I celebrate with a burger after Sunday’s round,” she remarked, “so there’s a strong possibility that’s what I’ll do.”

For her, the most valuable aspect is the company she shares.