Golf: Ko finishes strong for third

Lydia Ko enjoyed a scorching second round in Taiwan. Photo / Getty

New Zealand's Lydia Ko made a strong finish on the final day at the LPGA Taiwan Championship today for a third placing.

Ko carded a six-under 66 including four birdies on the back nine but it wasn't enough to catch the leading pair of Inbee Park and Stacey Lewis.

In the end Park held off the American for her third victory of the year and 12th career title, by two strokes at Miramar.

Six days after regaining the No. 1 spot in the world from Lewis, the South Korean newlywed closed with a 1-under 71 in light rain to finish at 22-under 266.

Park opened with rounds of 64, 62 and 69 to take a four-stroke lead over Lewis and China's Shanshan Feng into the final round.

The second-ranked Lewis, also a three-time winner this year, shot a 69.

Park won the Manulife Financial LPGA in June in Canada and took the LPGA Championship in August for her fifth major title. Last year, she swept the first three majors and won six times.

-AP