Golf: Ko left to rue poor first round at Pinehurst

Lydia Ko. Photo / AP

When Lydia Ko looks back at this year's US Women's Open she will rue her opening round of 76.

That six-over disaster, courtesy of a terrible back nine including three bogeys and a triple bogey, meant she was always going to have too much ground to catch up during the following three days.

The 17-year-old held firm though with two rounds of 71 before carding a one-under 69 in her final round today to finish at seven-over for the tournament in a share of 15th place, earning US$58,096 ($67,000).

Ko was nine shots back from winner Michelle Wie, who finished at two-under and was the only player under par for the week as she claimed her maiden major title.

North Carolina's Pinehurst No 2 played tough throughout the tournament and Ko could have even finished in the top 10 had it not been for two late bogeys on the 15th and 16th holes of her final round.

Meanwhile, Manawatu's Tim Wilkinson finished in a share of 18th at the Travelers Championship in Connecticut on the PGA Tour.

The left-hander fired an even-par 70 in his final round today and was left to watch players creep past him on the leaderboard during a day of low scoring.

American Kevin Streelman (-15) birdied the last seven holes of the TPC River Highlands course to card a final round six-under 64 and win the tournament by one shot from Sergio Garcia and KJ Choi (-14).