21 Aug 2016

'I am so proud of myself'

11:35 am on 21 August 2016

Rio 2016 Olympics - Lydia Ko has won silver in the women's golf in Rio, edging out China's Shanshan Feng by one stroke.

The win makes her New Zealand's youngest individual female medallist at an Olympics, a title which was briefly held by Eliza McCartney for her bronze medal win in the pole vault yesterday.

Ko is four months and 13 days younger than McCartney.

The 19-year-old world number one wasn't able to close the gap on South Korea's Inbee Park, who won the first Olympic gold medal in women's golf since 1900 with a commanding five-stroke victory.

Park got off to a hot start and defended her lead, while the others struggled to keep in touch.

Ko couldn't get the ball to drop on the greens, leaving a number of birdie opportunities out on the course.

However she did sink one on the final hole to break a tie for second.

Speaking to media after her win, Ko said the silver medal was a huge honour.

"At the end of the second day I wasn't in the greatest position but playing well in the last two days has led me to this point. I am so proud of myself and the team for getting this silver medal. It is a huge honour.

"It is something I have always been dreaming about and I can't believe it has come true.

"Before coming here we had some negative press but I think we have all proved what an amazing week it was for golf, for the women's game. I have learned so much from this experience."

A large number of New Zealand athletes turned out to support Ko in her final round, and she told Sky Sport she could hear them cheering her on.

"I feel like I played even better coming down the stretch hearing their shouting, hearing their support and... I almost felt like I was playing back at home."

RNZ / Reuters