Lydia Ko of New Zealand Photo: PHOTOSPORT
New Zealand golfer Lydia Ko has fallen two shots short of a title defence at the BMW Ladies Championship in South Korea.
Ko put a lean run of results on the LPGA Tour in recent months behind her to challenge for the title at the Seowon Valley Country Club but had to settle for third.
Australian Minjee Lee overcame a late rally by Alison Lee and defeated the American on the first playoff hole to clinch her 10th career title.
South Korean-born Ko, who carded a 69 on Sunday to finish on 14-under, was bidding to become the first two-time winner of the tournament.
"Going into today, I was like, I've got nothing to lose. I'm not in the lead and I'm obviously close," she said.
"Going into this week, I could have finished last or first, who knows. It was a complete pot luck in ways. So obviously a lot of good things to reflect on this week, so hopefully good momentum to Malaysia."
It was Ko's first top-five finish of the LPGA season, having dropped to 13th in the world rankings.
Lee carded a four-under-par 68 on Sunday and joined Lee (67) at 16-under for the tournament, before making a birdie at the par-four 18th on the first playoff hole.
- Reuters