Golf: Young Kiwi women finish 6th at Queen Sirikit Cup

New Zealand moved up a spot to finish sixth in the 27th annual Queen Sirikit Cup for the Asia Pacific women's golf teams championship in Thailand.

The young team shot a final round nine-over 153 for the two best counting scores on another demanding day in hot and humid conditions at the Green Valley Country Club near Bangkok.

The two youngest players in New Zealand's youngest team to the Queen Sirikit Cup were the counters in the final round, led by 15-year-old Sharon Ahn, who shot a two-over 74.

She was supported by Auckland 16-year-old Natasha Krishna, who fired a seven-over 79. New Zealand amateur champion Sarah Nicholson of Wellington struggled with a nine-over 81 after two strong rounds.

New Zealand finished with a 54-hole total of 457, 25 over and in sixth place, climbing one spot from their overnight position.

Chinese-Taipei took out their first Queen Sirikit Cup when they overtook hosts Thailand on the final day to finish on three-over for the tournament.

This was two shots clear of the hosts.

Japan and Australia shared third place, two shots back, with Korea a further two shots in arrears. New Zealand were sixth, although 16 shots behind Korea.

Nicholson, placed inside the top-10 on individual standings after 36 holes, dropped out of the reckoning with her final round.

Ahn was the leading New Zealander at 14-over par. She had a day of ups and downs with a double bogey and four bogeys mixed with a brilliant eagle and two birdies.

Chinese-Taipei golfer Tseng Ya-Ni was individual winner with a seven-under 209 to be six shots clear of Thailand's Titiya Flucksataporo.

- NZPA