Choi Wins Coates Golf Championship; Ko Now No. 1


Na Yeon Choi closed with a 4-under 68 to win the the Coates Golf Championship. The $1.5 million, 2015 season opener on the LPGA Tour had a Saturday finish at Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club in Florida.

The 27-year-old South Korean posted six birdies and two bogeys to end up at 16-under 272, a stroke ahead of first-round leader Jessica Korda (66), Han Na Jang (70) and Lydia Ko (71).

Ko began the final round with a one-stroke lead over Jang. The 17-year-old New Zealander was in control of the tournament after carding four birdies and a bogey through 16 holes. But a double on the par-4 17th dropped her behind Choi.

Still, with Inbee Park finishing in a tie for 13th, Ko will take over the No. 1 spot in the Rolex Rankings. Ko will be the youngest-ever player - man or woman - to be No. 1 in golf.

Choi was one of the best players on the LPGA Tour after racking up seven wins between 2009 and 2012, including the '12 U.S. Women's Open. But she's been in a winless drought since the CME Group Titleholders in November 2012.

But all that changed with her victory in Ocala. "I was so nervous out there," a tearful Choi said at greenside. "I was waiting for this moment so long."

Alone in fifth at 10-under was Amy Yang (71), while another stroke back was American Alison Walshe (66). One stroke further back was Brittany Lang (70).

Tied for seventh were two South Koreans - Sun Young Yoo (69) and So Yeon Ryu (72), and Stacy Lewis, who slipped down the leaderboard after a 75.

For all the scores, visit http://www.lpgascoring.com/public/Leaderboard.aspx.