Tuesday, 29 March 2016

Golf:Lydia Ko cruises to four-shot win in Kia Classic

Lydia Ko holds the winners trophy after her victory in the KIA Classic
World No 1 Lydia Ko captured her 11th USLPGA Tour title after cruising to a four-shot win at the Kia Classic tournament on Sunday.

The 18-year-old fired a five-under par 67 to finish the week 19-under and ensure she will remain the world's best player for a 23rd straight week.

The win puts Ko in the driver's seat heading into next week's ANA Inspiration, the first major championship of the season.

"I've been playing consistently well, so I'm really happy about that. But who knows what's going to happen tomorrow," Ko said.

Ko maintained the lead throughout Sunday after heading into the final round with a three-shot lead, finishing with seven birdies, including birdies on each of the final three holes.

South Korea's Inbee Park shot a five-under 67 to finish second on 15-under. She had birdies on three of her first eight holes Sunday to apply some pressure on Ko.

"I took a peek at the leaderboard and saw that Inbee was making a lot of birdies," Ko added. "I knew that I had to focus until the last moment. Fortunately, I made some birdies down the stretch, and that really helped."

Japan's Ai Miyazato's six-under 66 was enough for third on 12-under, while two South Koreans, Park Sung-Hyun and Jenny Shin, finished tied for fourth a shot further back after level-par rounds on day four.

Four players tied for sixth on 10-under, comprising Gerina Piller, China's Feng Shanshan, Jessica Korda and South Korea's Kim Hyo-Joo.

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