12 Aug 2012

Ko into US Amateur final

2:59 pm on 12 August 2012

New Zealand's top ranked amateur golfer Lydia Ko has won through to the final of the US Women's Championship in Ohio.

The 15-year-old world number one beat Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand 3 and 1 in their semi-final.

Ko says her putts were rolling today and to beat the world's second ranked player is such a great feeling.

She'l play American Jaye Marie Green in tomorrow's 36 hole final.

The U.S. Women's Amateur is one of 13 national championships conducted by the United States Golf Association, of which 10 are strictly for amateurs.

At 15 years, 3 months and 18 days, Ko is the second-youngest finalist in Women's Amateur history, and could become the second-youngest champion.

Both records are held by Kimberly Kim, who was 14 years, 11 months and 21 days of age when she won the 2006 Women's Amateur.

By virtue of reaching the championship final, Green and Ko each receive exemptions into next year's U.S. Women's Open, provided they are still amateurs.