Ko climbs world rankings

NZ golfer Lydia Ko has climbed two placings up the women's world rankings into fourth following her first win as a professional in Taiwan.

NZ's Lydia Ko at the World Ladies Masters

NZ golfer Lydia Ko reached No.4 of the women's world rankings following her first pro win in Taiwan. (AAP)

Kiwi teenager Lydia Ko's first victory as a professional has bumped her up two places to fourth in the world rankings.

The 16-year-old New Zealander won the Swinging Skirts World Ladies Masters by three strokes in Taiwan on Sunday after coming from three shots behind midway through the final round.

She carded a three-under 69 to finish at 11-under for the 54-hole tournament, pocketing a cool $US150,000 ($A165,000) for the victory.

Ko's ranking points average of 7.78 is well behind leader Inbee Park's 11.47. The South Korean, who finished third at the Swinging Skirts, has spent the last 35 weeks in No.1 position.

Norway's Suzann Pettersen is second with 10.83, and American Stacy Lewis third on 9.61.

Sunday's win was Ko's fifth on a major tour but her first since turning pro in October.

She tied for 21st at the CME Group Titleholders event in Florida late last month in her first pro tournament.

Ko's next tournament will be the LPGA Tour-opening Bahamas Classic from January 23, before she returns home to defend her NZ Women's Open title in Christchurch the following week.


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Source: AAP


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