Golf

Haru Nomura holds off Lydia Ko to win Australian Open

Japanese golfer edges out Kiwi Ko, the defending champion, by three shots

Haru Nomura of Japan celebrates after winning the Australian Open at the Grange GC in Adelaide, Australia. Photograph: Morne de Klerk/Getty Images)
Haru Nomura of Japan celebrates after winning the Australian Open at the Grange GC in Adelaide, Australia. Photograph: Morne de Klerk/Getty Images)
Sun Feb 21 2016 - 19:19

Japanese golfer Haru Nomura held off world number one Lydia Ko down the stretch to land the Women's Australian Open in Adelaide on Sunday for her first LPGA Tour title.

Nomura, starting the day in a three-way tie for the lead, shot a blistering final round seven-under-par 65 as she edged out Kiwi Ko (67), the defending champion, by three shots.

Ko was only one back after 14th holes but world number 67 Nomura calmly made three consecutive birdie threes from the 15th to pull away from her illustrious opponent and seal the top prize with a 16-under 272 total.

“My shots were good, but my putts were so good I couldn’t believe it,” Nomura was quoted as saying by Kyodo News.

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Seven-times major champion Karrie Webb of Australia finished a distant third, seven back of the 23-year-old champion, after a closing 71.