New Zealand golfer Lydia Ko has won her fourth LPGA tour event, coming from behind to win the Marathon Classic in Ohio.
Ko shot six birdies in the final round to finish 15 under, one shot ahead of South Korea’s fast-finishing So Yeon Ru, who shot four birdies on the final back nine.
Ko finished with rounds of 67, 67, 70 and 65.
The 17-year-old started the fourth and final round in fifth place, two shots off the pace, but quickly made up the difference with birdies on the third and fourth holes.
As overnight leaders Le-Anne Pace and Laura Diaz faded, Ko’s main challenges came from 36-year-old American Cristie Kerr, who started a shot behind Ko, and Ryu.
Ko and Kerr were tied on the back nine until Kerr bogied the 15th hole. Ryu steadily improved to be one shot behind Ko, and both birdied the 16th to move clear of Kerr.
The Aucklander then held her nerve to win, firing a birdie on the 18th hole, where Ryu could only manage par.
Australia’s Katherine Kirk hit a final-round 68 to tie for fourth at 11 under with Malaysia’s Kelly Tan.
Ko, the world number two, is backing up from the British Open where a last round eight-over 80 plunged her down to 29th place after beginning the day in a share of 17th.
AAP abu/dwi/sc
Riccardo
Guest
This 17 year-old kid is simply amazing. She has already gone past the $1 million mark. Does this move her to #1 in the world? What I like most about her is her amiability. Her normality. All the best Lydia...