Golf: Ko finishes second in Phoenix

Lydia Ko in action during the final round of the JTBC Founders Cup. photo / Getty Image

New Zealand's Lydia Ko has fallen short of claiming her maiden win on the LPGA Tour, finishing one stroke behind Karrie Webb at the JTBC Founders Cup in Phoenix.

Ko led by three strokes early into her round before giving up the lead to a surging Webb. Webb finished at 19-under following a final round eight-under 63 today.

Ko missed a number of birdie chances on the final three holes which would have forced a playoff. Instead she had to settle for a five-way tie for second at 18-under following a two-under 70 today.

The second placing sees Ko move from ninth to five in the season points standings.

Earlier, Ko began the final round with a one-stroke lead and got off to a hot start on the front nine as she made four-straight birdies after she parred the opening hole.

Bogeys at the sixth and ninth stunted her momentum though and she eventually made the turn at 18-under as she held a share of first place before three putting at the par five 11th to drop another shot.

Ko cut the margin back to one shot with a birdie on the par five 15th. She missed birdie putts at 16 and 17 before a 24 footer to force a playoff on the 18th just fell short.

In her first full year on tour as a professional, Ko is yet to finish outside of the top 20.