17 Sep 2013

Ko to join professional circuit in 2014

5:51 am on 17 September 2013

The world's leading women's amateur golfer, 16-year-old Aucklander Lydia Ko, says she'll turn professional next year.

Ko has finished second at the fifth and final major of the year, the Evian Championship in France, to post the best result ever by a New Zealand woman at a major championship.

She finished two shots behind the winner, Norwegian Suzann Pettersen.

Ko, who's now risen to fifth on the world rankings, says she's looking forward to returning home to Auckland and will join the professional circuit next year, but is not sure when.

Ko has now has finished in the top five on seven occasions in professional LPGA events, claiming two titles and finishing runner-up at a major championship.