22 Apr 2016

Ko makes strong start to three-peat

9:31 pm on 22 April 2016

New Zealand golfer Lydia Ko says she's pleased with her opening round peformance as she bids for a three-peat titles at the LPGA's Swinging Skirts Classic in San Francisco.

Lydia Ko in Rancho Mirage, 2015.

Lydia Ko. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Ko carded a four under par 68 to be tied for fifth, five shots behind the breakaway leader South Korean So Yeon Ryu, who shot a nine under par 63.

The world No.1 recorded six birdies and two bogies.

Ko, who turns 19 on Sunday, was happy with her round following a less than auspicious start.

"The big key around this course is to hit a lot of fairways and there were some holes where I wasn't there but I made quite a few good up and downs I'm really happy with that and I made a few birdies along the way so that really helped kick start my round after starting with a bogey on my second hole."

Ko is the two-time defending champion in San Francisco.

-RNZ