Maguire challenge fades as Ko wins Saudi International

A disappointing final round of 74 saw Leona Maguire finish on five-under par at the Aramco Saudi Ladies International, 16 shots adrift of winner Lydia Ko.

A second successive 69 saw the Cavan woman begin the day in a tie for 22nd at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club, but she struggled to find any early momentum.

Three bogeys in the first six holes saw her slip down the standings, while birdies at 14 and 18 were sandwiched by another dropped shot for a two-over par 74 and an overall tie for 40th.

It was world number one Ko who claimed the silverware, carding a final round of 68 (-4) to triumph and record a one-shot victory over Aditi Ashok (-20), who also shot 68.

FINAL LEADERBOARD

The New Zealander headed into the final day in second place, just one shot off the lead, having shot rounds of 64, 69 and 66 on the first three days.

It was a good start for Ko with a birdie on the first. She dropped shot on the second but soon picked up another birdie on the sixth.

Three more birdies on the back nine was enough for for to seal victory with a total of 21-under-par.

"I'm two for two on this golf course," said Ko. "Clearly something is going for me! This is a golf course where, in the last few days and when I played in 2021, there were a few players that went from the back that would shoot low scores, so I just wanted to focus on my game.

"I don't think I was setting myself up for a lot of birdie opportunities on the front nine, but I knew that every hole could be a birdie opportunity, so it was that mindset and I wanted to be aggressive.

"The 18th hole was a lot uglier than I would have liked to picture, but in the end it's definitely nice to get the win this week."

It was an excellent start to the 2023 season for Ko, who will now