Golf: Lydia Ko still world No.1... just

Lydia Ko remains number one in the world. Photo / AP

Lydia Ko almost lost her number one world ranking after just one week following a tense finish at the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic today.

The 17-year-old needed to finish within a few places of world number two Inbee Park in the tournament to retain the top spot and it wasn't looking good for Ko midway through the final round.

Ko finished strongly however with four birdies and a bogey to card 11-under for the tournament in a share of seventh place. Park was leading during the fourth round but dropped two bogeys before a birdie on the final hole to finish a shot ahead of Ko at 12-under.

It was enough for Ko, who became the youngest ever world number one last week, to hold onto the top ranking by the slimmest of margins.

South Korean Sei Young Kim won the event after a playoff against Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn and compatriot Sun Young Yoo.

Ko began the final round in a tie for 19th, while Park began the day as the leader. If Park, who Ko leapfrogged into world number one, won the tournament then the New Zealander would have had to finish second remain the top ranked player in the world.

But Ko had a strong round shooting five-under for the day to close with a 68.

Following this weekend's tournament, Ko will play in Melbourne before heading to Clearwater to contest the New Zealand Women's Open in Christchurch from February 27-March 1.