Henderson wins in New Zealand as Ko struggles

WELLINGTON: Canadian Brooke Henderson excelled in appalling conditions to win the New Zealand Women’s Open Monday, as hometown favorite Lydia Ko faltered in the stormy weather that forced the LPGA event into a Henderson, who was leading when wild winds stopped play at Auckland’s Windross Farm on Sunday, took charge when her inter - able consistency despite the conditions. The world number 12 carded a three-under ahead of China’s Jing Yan in second place. 277, while American Jennifer Song seized round. Former world number one Ko, the defending champion, ended with a share of 22nd place on 283 after a

Ko, who has not won an LPGA event since July last year, said playing in front of her home crowd “gave me goosebumps”.

But it failed to improve the 20-year-old’s recent run of poor form as she double-bogied the 17th and then triple-bogied the 18th.

“I played really solid pretty much apart from the last two holes,” she said. “It was a tough

“I had hoped a few more putts would have dropped but I think I am saying that almost every week. There’s always something left to improve.”

She was not the only player unsettled by the bad weather and delays, with round three leader Spain’s Belen Mozo shooting a six-over

Henderson, 20, said the conditions were the

“I feel mentally drained by it but running on adrenalin to know this trophy is mine,” she said.

- LPGA Tour, it is incredible.”

LPGA event to be staged in New Zealand.

It was previously co-sanctioned by the Ladies European Tour, with Ko winning in 2016, 2015 and 2013.