Jacksonville's Lewis edged by Ko in New Zealand Women's Open
Feb 11, 2013 (Menafn - The Florida Times-Union - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --Amelia Lewis tried to spoil Lydia Ko's date with destiny in her adopted home country.
But in the end, putting made a difference as the 15-year-old Ko won her third professional tournament as an amateur when she edged Lewis by one shot early Monday to win the Ladies European Tour New Zealand Open, at the Clearwater Golf Club in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Lewis, a Jacksonville native and Bolles graduate who holds exempt status on the LET and LPGA, rallied from three shots behind Ko at the beginning of the third and final round by shooting the day's low score of 66.
Lewis eagled the 10th hole, then birdied Nos. 12 and 13 to take a one-shot lead over Ko, a Korean by birth but a New Zealand resident.
The two remained tied at 10-under until the par-4 18th hole. Ko got up-and-down and saved par with a 4-foot putt, while Lewis three-putted for bogey from 35 feet, missing a 5-foot comebacker for par.
Lewis also finished ahead of LPGA winners Christian Kim, Marja Hjorth, Julieta Granada and Laura Davies.
Her second place also elevated Lewis to the top of the LET money list after two events, with 34,177 Euros.
Lewis tied for 13th last week in the Australian Ladies Masters, won by World Golf Hall of Fame member Karrie Webb. It was the eighth time Webb has won the Australian Masters and she ties Sam Snead for winning the same event the most times. Snead won the PGA Tour's Greater Greensboro Open eight times.
Chella Choi, a Jacksonvile resident from Korea, tied for second in Australia, two shots behind Webb.
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