Jin Young Ko beats Bogey-free line from Tiger Woods. And then some

PORTLAND, Erts – The bogey-free run of Jin Young Ko ended on Thursday at 114 holes, but not before she passed Tiger Woods, of which 110 consecutive holes were of par or better from the 2000 season the longest known bogey-free stripe in professional golf.

The category was not followed until the arrival of ShotLink technology in 2003. Ko & # 39; s South Korean countryman Inbee Park made 93 holes without bogey in 2015 for what was considered the longest women's stripe. Ko totally overshadowed that on the way to winning the CP Women's Open last week in Canada.

Ko, 24, who made her first appearance at the Portland Classic, played the first eight holes in the Columbia Edgewater Country Club in four under par, including an eagle in the par-5 fifth that moved her past Woods.

On the ninth, she pressed three times for her first bogey in the LPGA Tour Competition since August 1, during the Women & # 39; s Open. After her par attempt of less than three feet rolled past the hole, Ko pressed her neck as if she wanted to release the tension and stared at her ball for a few seconds in disbelief.

Ko smiles easily and carries a golf bag with "Love God, Love People" stitched on. But she acknowledged that the bogey-free line had been tiring, especially after it had reached triple digits and the attention of

"Now it is done and my mind is freer," Ko said after signing for a four-under 68.

With the line passed, Ko can concentrate on trying to get her fifth LPGA win of 2019. She is four strokes behind the leaders, Mi Jung Hur and Hannah Green.

"I can concentrate more on my shot and not even think about: & # 39 ; Oh, bogey, bogey, no, & # 39; & # 39; Ko said.

Ko intended to surpass Woods, who played bogey-free golf for the last 51 holes of the Canadian Open 2000 and by the first 59 holes of the National Car Rental Classic at Disney World. She knew she needed no worse than par on the fourth hole to match his goal.

After finding the left side rough with her drive, Ko couldn't reach the green with her second shot. She saved par by chipping up to three feet and making the putt.

"Great up and down," Ko said, adding, "It's cool, especially since I've made a new record."

After the bogey, Ko reset her goals as she walked to the 10th tee. "I want to do it again – 115 holes bogey-free," she said.

Her new line is on nine holes – and counting.