Kiwi golf ace Lydia Ko has teed off her 2022 season in encouraging fashion, claiming a top-10 finish at the first LPGA event of the year.
On Monday (NZ time), Ko finished in a share of 10th place at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions in Florida, shooting a two-over par 74 in the final round to finish at four-under overall.
The world no. 3 closed 12 shots adrift of winner American Danielle Kang (-16), who was followed by Canada's Brooke M. Henderson (-13) and Mexican Gaby Lopez (-12).
The round was Ko's worst of the tournament, misfiring with a total of four bogeys and just a single birdie on the Lake Nona course she lives nearby.
She began the day seven shots shy of overnight leader Nelly Korda, after tallying scores of 71,68, and 71 through her first three rounds.
Nevertheless, it's a heartening beginning to the season for Ko, who continues her momentum from a resurgent 2021.
Last year, she broke her three-year LPGA title drought, won the Vare Trophy for the lowest scoring average on tour, and claimed a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics to shoot up the world rankings.
