Golf: Lee falters on run home

Rotorua's Danny Lee and New Zealand amateur Lydia Ko had top five finishes in their respective tour events yesterday, but Lee will be kicking himself for missing a rare victory.

Lee finished second at the web.com Tour's Rex Hospital Open in North Carolina after faltering late in his final round.

He held a two-shot lead with four holes to play before recording two bogeys as American Chesson Hadley finished the stronger of the two players to win the title.

Lee had an even-par 70 to finish at 17-under for the tournament. He had three bogeys on the final six holes after going 36 holes without dropping a shot.

Hadley, who shot a 64 yesterday, was a staggering seven-under through his final 10 holes including an eagle and five birdies to storm past Lee.

Despite the disappointing ending it was Lee's first top five of 2013 and sees him climb from 23rd to sixth on the money-list.

His runner-up finish will be a huge help towards him returning to the PGA Tour in 2014. The former New Zealand Amateur Champion needs to finish in the top 25 players on the Order of Merit to automatically qualify for the PGA Tour in 2014.

Ko had her best finish of the LPGA Tour since winning last year's Canadian Open with a fourth placing at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship.

The worldNo1 amateur fired a three-under 68 to finish two strokes behind Korea's Inbee Park.

Ko's fourth place finish continued her remarkable record in professional tournaments in 2013 where she has recorded six top-10 finishes.

Her worst result is a tie for 25th at the Kraft Nabisco major championship in what has been an incredible run.

The 16-year-old has never missed a cut in 19 professional events.

Ko will look to make more history next week at the US Open by trying to become the youngest major winner in what will be her fifth major championship. - APNZ