Kiwi Ko scoops $2m first prize

LYDIA Ko claimed the richest prize in women’s golf as she shot a final-round 70 to win the CME Tour Championship in Florida by two shots on Sunday.

The New Zealander birdied two of her final three holes to finish on 17 under par at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples and hold off the challenge of Leona Maguire.

Irishwomen Maguire, who held a share of the lead overnight, had to settle for second place after a level-par round of 72, with Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist a stroke further back after carding a 67.

Ko’s victory saw her claim her second LPGA player of the year title as well the winner’s cheque of $2 million US (£1.6m). Rory McIlroy finished the year as European number one for the fourth time in his career – and first since 2015 – despite Jon Rahm winning the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.

The Spaniard’s two-shot victory over England’s Tyrrell Hatton and Sweden’s Alex Noren was his third in six years at Jumeirah Golf Estates and worth £2.5m.

But McIlroy finished the season top of the DP World rankings after Matt Fitzpatrick, his only rival for the Harry Vardon Trophy, blew up around the turn.

Fitzpatrick, three off the lead playing the eighth, doublebogeyed and dropped another at the tenth to end his chances.