Golf: Ko finishes third

Lydia Ko of New Zealand tee's of the 1st tee during day four of the ISPS Handa Australian Open. Photo / Getty Images.

World No 1 amateur Lydia Ko has carded a three-over par 76 in the final round of the Australian Open today (Sun) to finish in third place in the ALPG event that was co-sanctioned with the LPGA Tour.

The 15-year-old from the Gulf Harbour Country Club, who began tied for the lead with Jiyai Shin on 17 under par, finished four shots back from the South Korean professional as she tried to win two national opens in consecutive weeks.

The New Zealand Open champion was overtaken by World No 1 Yani Tseng in the final round when the Taiwanese pro shot a seven-under par 66 to climb into second place.

Ko, who shot a course record 10 under par 63 and her career best score on day one, got off to a nervous start in the final round.

She began with a double bogey at the opening par five and then followed that with a bogey on the second to allow Shin, who opened with birdie then par, to establish a four shot lead.

The Pinehurst School student bounced back with consecutive bogeys on the fourth and fifth to get back into the contest. She went onto make the turn in one over par.

Ko couldn't get anything going on the back nine as she made three bogeys and a birdie to finish on 14-under par.

She had rounds of 63, 69, 70 and 76 to finish as the leading amateur by eight shots from Australian Su-Hyun Oh.

Still it was another remarkable week for the teenage golf sensation. She was once again a star performer in a field that included nine out of the top 20 professionals in the world.

The World No 30 continued her remarkable record in professional events. From 13 events Ko has not missed a cut. She has won three titles, finished runner-up twice and third once.

Her performance in Canberra once again underlined her status as one of the world's most exciting young golfers.