Lydia Ko wins Swinging Skirts in Taiwan for first win as a professional

TAIPEI, Taiwan – Lydia Ko rallied to win her first title as a professional. 

The 16-year-old from New Zealand won the Swinging Skirts World Ladies Masters on Sunday, closing with a 4-under 68 for a three-stroke victory over South Korea's So Yeon Ryu. 

Ko had an 11-under 205 total at Linkou Miramar and earned $150,000 in the event sanctioned by the Taiwan and Korean tours that draws a number of top LPGA Tour players. Ryu finished with a 73. Top-ranked Inbee Park was third at 7 under after a 70. 

Ko tied for 21st last month in the LPGA Tour’s season-opening CME Group Titleholders in her only other start as a professional. She won four pro events as an amateur, taking the CN Canadian Women's Open the last two years, and will play the LPGA Tour in 2014.