Ko finishes 20th as Kim takes out classic

Lydia Ko has finished in a tie for 20th place at the Marathon Classic at Highland Meadows Golf Club in Ohio.

The world No 4 shot a twounder 69 yesterday to finish nineunder, 12 shots back from winner In-Kyung Kim, who not only rocketed into contention with a remarkable eight-under 63 but took complete control of the tournament.

After bogeys on holes one and 10, Ko bounced back to make a strong finish with back-to-back birdies on 12 and 13 before nailing a third on hole 17.

However, she was still well short of Kim, the 29-year-old South Korean carding eight birdies en route to her sixth career win on the LPGA Tour.

‘‘I had a great day,’’ Kim said. ‘‘I have been hitting it very solid over the few days, and today I was feeling really good about my putting before going out. I wasn’t expecting to go very low, but I did my best, and sometimes without expectation, just, I guess, it works out.’’

Kim also won the ShopRite LPGA Classic in June in New Jersey, joining fellow South Korean player So Yeon Ryu as the only multiple winners this season.

‘‘You have to hit the fairways,’’ Kim said. ‘‘Some holes are very shaping holes, and I was very comfortable playing those holes, and I feel like I took advantage of that, birdied three of the par fives.

‘‘Today, the pin positions were a little bit comfortable for me. I’ve been hitting little draws this week, and when the pin is tucked on the left side, I was having a hard time.’’