Golf: Ko opens with steady 69

Lydia Ko of New Zealand. Photo / Getty Images

With her next major appearance only a week away, Lydia Ko has made a steady start at the LPGA Classic in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The 17-year-old is in a share of 10th place after carding a two-under 69 during her opening round yesterday at the Blythefield Country Club.

Ko, who won her last tournament at the Marathon Classic in mid-July as she ticked over the $1 million-mark in earnings for the season, is four strokes behind leader Sandra Gal (-6).

Korean Inbee Park is second at five-under, while Australian Katherine Kirk is one shot back in third.

Next week, Ko will line up in the LPGA Championship in New York as she bids to become the youngster player to win a major.

Kiwi PGA Tour professionals Tim Wilkinson and Danny Lee both have a week off as they didn't have a start in the PGA Championship in Louisville, Kentucky.

On the second-tier Web.com Tour, Steven Alker made a hot start to the Price Cutter Charity Championship in Springfield, Missouri, as he was five-under through 11 holes before inclement weather caused a halt.

Meanwhile, Aucklander James Beale has claimed the Canadian Men's Amateur Championship title after the third playoff hole at Elmhurst Golf and Country Club.