New Zealand

Amateur golfer Lydia Ko wins NZ Women's Open

19:06 pm on 10 February 2013

Auckland teenage amateur golfer Lydia Ko has become the first local to win the New Zealand Women's Open at Clearwater, near Christchurch.

Ko missed four birdie putts in a row on the back nine before finally holing one at the 15th to go level with American Amelia Lewis.

Lewis then dropped a shot on the final hole and Ko rolled in her third straight par putt to win her third professional tournament, by one shot.

Her final round was 68 and she finished 10 under for the tournament.

Her victory was greeted by huge applause and cheers by more than 1000 people on the 18th hole.