Ko a shot behind in Australian Open

CANBERRA, Australia » Teen star Lydia Ko shot a 4-under 69 today to stay in contention in the LPGA Tour’s season-opening Women’s Australian Open.

The 15-year-old amateur from New Zealand won the New Zealand Women’s Open on Sunday for her third victory in a professional tournament. Last year, Ko won the New South Wales Open to become the youngest player to win a pro tour event and the Canadian Open to become the youngest LPGA Tour winner. She also won the U.S. Women’s Amateur.

Ko, who led after the first round after a 63, trails Mariajo Uribe of Colombia by a stroke and is tied with Jiyai Shin for second. Both of them were 6-under par in the second round. Michelle Wie followed a first-round 74 with an even-par 73 in the second round but missed the cut despite rallying with birdies on the 14th and 17th holes. Ko gave Wie some of the credit for her performance.

"I was in a really good group to start off with," said Ko, grouped with top-ranked Yani Tseng and Wie the first two rounds. "I was pretty nervous when I saw the draw that I was playing with two of the big names, but I mean the weather was beautiful, I think we all enjoyed our time out there."