Mi Hyang Lee tops Ko in New Zealand

Published January 08, 2015

Harewood, New Zealand (SportsNetwork.com) - Mi Hyang Lee fired a course- record, 9-under 63 in Sunday's final round and that helped her earn a come- from-behind victory at the New Zealand Women's Open.

Lee was eight back to start the final round, but soared to victory. She ended at 9-under-par 207 at Clearwater Golf Club. The victory was her first as a professional.

Local favorite and world No. 4 Lydia Ko closed with a 2-under 70. She ended alone in second place at minus-8.

Second-round leader Anya Alvarez stumbled to a 1-over 73. She dropped into a share of third place at 7-under 209 with Seonwoo Bae (70) and Beth Allen (70).

Ko, Alvarez and Allen were the final group, and all had a chance to force a playoff. Allen and Alvarez both missed the 18th green, while Ko failed to convert a 25-footer for birdie.

Lee started her bogey-free round with an eagle on the par-5 second. She followed with birdies at five and eight as she made the turn at minus-4.

The Korean dropped in back-to-back birdie chances at 10 and 11. Lee parred the next two, then poured in three consecutive birdies from the 14th to grab the lead at minus-9. She ended there with pars on the final two holes.

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/mi-hyang-lee-tops-ko-in-new-zealand