Nomura holds off Ko to land first LPGA title

Nomura, starting the day in a three-way tie for the lead, shot a blistering final round seven-under-par 65 as she edged out Kiwi Ko (67), the defending champion, by three shots.

(Reuters)

Ko was only one back after 14th holes but world number 67 Nomura calmly made three consecutive birdie threes from the 15th to pull away from her illustrious opponent and seal the top prize with a 16-under 272 total.

"My shots were good, but my putts were so good I couldn't believe it," Nomura was quoted as saying by Kyodo News.

Seven-times major champion Karrie Webb of Australia finished a distant third, seven back of the 23-year-old champion, after a closing 71.

(Writing by Patrick Johnston in Singapore; editing by Amlan Chakraborty)