7 Feb 2011

Ko eyes up pro-ranks after winning amateur trophy

8:39 am on 7 February 2011

North Harbour teenager Lydia Ko has says she's even more determined to join golf's professional ranks after becoming the first New Zealand golfer to win the title of leading amateur in the Australian Women's Open.

The 13 year old shot a final round two-over 75 to finish on three-under in a share of 12th place at the Commonwealth Golf Club in Victoria, coping well with the windy conditions.

Ko says she's now intent on pushing her game to new heights after being paired with some of the world's best players at the Melbourne tournament.

Ko finished five shots ahead of her Srixon Academy team-mate Cecilia Cho in the battle for leading amateur, with the two New Zealanders and Korean Annie Choi the only non-professionals to make the cut.

Defending champion Taiwan's Yani Tseng made it two Australian Open titles in a row, firing a two-under par 71 to finish on 16-under.