Ko makes strong start

Six birdies amongst a blemish-free opening round have placed Lydia Ko within touching distance of the leaders at the Honda LPGA Thailand yesterday.

The former world No 1, who is now ranked eighth, is just two shots from the lead following her round of 66.

A birdie on the par-five 18th at the Siam Country Club lifted Ko into a three-way tie for fifth at sixunder-par with Australia’s Hannah Green and Germany’s Caroline Masson.

Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit and Atthaya Thitikul share the overnight lead at eight-under.

Meanwhile, Kiwi amateur golfer Amelia Garvey won a dramatic two-day, three-way, playoff to land a spot in next month’s US Open.

The rising golf star shot rounds of 74 and 72 to finish at two-over par in the pre-qualifier at Brentwood Country Club in Los Angeles. That meant a playoff with fellow amateur Katherine Muzi and highly-rated professional Anne Van Dam.

The trio couldn’t be separated by three extra holes and with daylight exhausted they returned yesterday where a birdie on a par-four clinched Garvey’s playoff win.