Golf: Lydia Ko loses number one ranking

Lydia Ko of New Zealand gets direction from her caddie. Photo / AP.

Lydia Ko has lost the No 1 ranking in women's golf after Inbee Park shot a final round 68 and finished at 19-under par to win the Women's PGA Championship for the third consecutive year today.

The 26-year-old Park, from South Korea, made five birdies and shot a bogey-free round at the Westchester Country Club, finishing the tournament five strokes ahead of 22-year-old countrywoman Sei Young Kim.

Park, who shot a 273 for the tournament, tied the Tour record for the lowest score in a major in relationship to par and finished the four rounds with 22 birdies and just three bogeys.

Ko missed the cut at the event in New York, which marked the first time in her career she had missed the cut at a professional event dating back to when she played the New Zealand Women's Open as a 12-year-old amateur in 2010.

Park also surged past Ko on the Race to the CME Globe standings, which is the season-long points race on the LPGA Tour.

Lexi Thompson ended up in third place at the Women's PGA Championship. She had eight birdies on her first 13 holes Sunday and shot a 66 to finish at 12-under par.

This is Park's sixth major title. She ties Annika Sorenstam only golfer who has claimed this championship in three consecutive years.