The 23-year-old became the 15th woman from South Korea to win a Major and the fifth to win the tournament after carding a two-under-par 70 in the final round to end on 10 under at Mission Hills Country Club.

Compatriot Lee Mi-hyang finished second on seven under, while the United States' Lexi Thompson ended third on six under.

Ko's victory was her fourth on the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour and followed her win at last month’s Bank of Hope Founders Cup in Phoenix, Arizona.

She wrapped up her triumph in style by holing from 15 feet for birdie at the 18th and celebrated by jumping into Poppie's Pond.

"I always think about when I can go in that pond," Ko told BBC Sport.

"That's today.

"I had a great round and a great week. 

"I felt nervous today but tried to keep myself calm.

"My caddie told me on the 18th that I had a two-shot lead and to not worry, just enjoy it."

Ko, the reigning LPGA rookie of the year, added: "I won the tournament and that's a happy moment. 

"I thank God, I thank my parents, I thank my grandparents. 

"It is an honour to join so many great Korean players."

Ko, who leads the money list and has five top-three finishes in six events this year, started the day with a one-shot advantage. 

Birdies at the second and fifth increased her lead and despite bogeying the eighth, she got back on track with another birdie on 11.

Bogeys at the 13th and 15th allowed Lee to move to within one shot, but Ko recovered with a birdie at the 16th and she sealed victory with another birdie at the 18th.

Lee could only par the last six holes to finish on seven under, thanks to a two-under 70.

Thompson, meanwhile, rose up the leaderboard with a five-under 67.

The 2014 champion's round featured seven birdies and two bogeys as she ended on six under overall.

Spain's Carlota Ciganda also finished well with a bogey-free four-under 68 to share fourth on five under with South Korea's Kim In-kyung.