Golf: Ko settles for second at Australian Open

Lydia Ko lines up a putt during day four of the ISPS Handa Women's Australian Open. Photo / Getty

Lydia Ko was unable to add another prize to a trophy-laden week, being forced to settle for second at the Australian Women's Open.

That's a position with which Ko will have little familiarity after yet another fruitful week on and off the course, following her victory at last weekend's New Zealand Open by being named Young New Zealander of the Year on Wednesday and winning the Halberg for Sportswoman of the Year the following night.

But Ko was denied the chance to cap her week with more glory after Japan's Haru Nomura played an astonishing final round to consign Ko to second at The Grange Golf Club in Adelaide.

The unheralded Nomura picked up her first career LPGA tournament victory after shooting a seven-under 65 on the last day, edging a fast-finishing Ko by three strokes.

The world No 1 was reigning champion at the Grange and, after beginning her final round one shot off the pace, would have been a red-hot favourite to defend her crown and continue her successful start to 2016. And that status would have only enhanced after the opening two holes of the day, with Ko making birdie on both to begin in ominous fashion.

The Kiwi picked up another shot on the par-five fifth but, as strong as she was playing, Ko continued to be matched every step of the way by Nomura. The 23-year-old from Tokyo also made three birdies on her front nine to stay one stroke ahead Ko and, after the two players both made birdie on 13, that's where she stayed heading into the final five holes.

That's when Nomura launched a birdie blitz of which the top-ranked player in the world would have been proud, picking up shots on three consecutive holes to hold off Ko and leave the Kiwi in the rare position of runner-up.