Golf: Ko's run for US title ends

Lydia Ko. Photo / Brett Phibbs

New Zealand golfer Lydia Ko's run at the US Amateur championship was ended in the second round of match play this morning (NZt) after she went down three and two to Hawaiian Stephanie Kono.

Kono went one up at the third hole at the par-71 Rhode Island Country Club in New York and used three birdies to steadily advance against Ko, 14, who was co-medalist in stroke-play qualifying.

Ko, the world No 1 amateur, said she liked the way she played in her first US women's amateur.

"I'm quite pleased and I had fun," said the 2011 New Zealand amateur champion.

"I'm a bit disappointed today, but who wouldn't be?"

The vastly more experienced Kono, 21, said: "I knew she was going to hit the greens and get it close, so I had to play my own game."

Kono was a member of the 2010 USA Curtis Cup Team and is playing in her 22nd USGA championship.

Meanwhile, defending champion Danielle Kang, 18, from California holed a 9-iron shot for an eagle to eliminate fellow American Emma Talley, 17, in the second round.

Kang's stellar shot on the 364-yard, par-4 14th hole ended the match, 6 and 4.

Ko was seeking to become the first woman from New Zealand to win the coveted title and follow in the footsteps of 2008 men's US Amateur Champion Danny Lee.

- NZPA