FP - Teenage sensation Lydia Ko is set to arrive at the Women's Australian Open as world No.1 after seeing off a big challenge.
The 17-year-old New Zealander became golf's youngest-ever world No.1 when she overtook South Korea's In-Bee Park a week ago but she was in danger of losing it straight back.
Ko dug in with a final round five-under-par 68 at the LPGA Tour event in the Bahamas on Sunday to finish tied seventh, one shot behind Park who faltered late in her 72 after contending for the title.
It was just enough to keep Ko at No.1 going into her next event - the LPGA Tour co-sanctioned Women's Australian Open at Royal Melbourne from February 19-22.
Ko said she did her best to ignore the estimates of where Park might have to finish to overtake her.
"I saw the projections on how it would change but I just kept trying to make my putts and make some birdies," Ko said.
"I wasn't really thinking about it all week," Ko said of the ranking. "All I could do was try to play my best."
South Korean rookie Kim Sei-Young won a playoff to capture the Bahamas LPGA Classic title.
Kim sank a five-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole to reach the playoff, then followed with a six-foot birdie putt on the same 18th green on the first extra hole to defeat Thai teen Ariya Jutanugarn and compatriot Yoo Sun-Young and win the crown in only her second US tour appearance.
"I feel really great," 22-year-old Kim said. "I was really nervous. I just focused on my game. I can't find the words. Just crying."
Kim, a three-time winner on the Korean Tour, fired a five-under par 68 in the final round to join Jutanugarn and Yoo on 14-under 278 and force a playoff on the par-5 18th hole.
Share
