Ko breaks Tiger's mark, becomes youngest No. 1 at 17 after 2nd-place finish at LPGA opener

OCALA, Fla. - With a notable double prize not only within reach, but practically in her grip, teen star Lydia Ko had to settle for half of the spoils Saturday - though it represented a significant piece of golf history, nonetheless.

Though the New Zealander blew a late lead and had to settle for a share of second place at the LPGA Tour's season opener, where she finished a shot behind Na Yeon Choi, the 17-year-old Ko became the youngest player of either gender to reach No. 1 in the world ranking.

Ko, who held a four-shot lead on the front nine of the inaugural Coates Golf Classic, double-bogeyed the 17th hole during a wild closing stretch, but still eclipsed Tiger Woods' mark as the youngest to reach the game's apex by nearly four years.

Choi closed with a 4-under 68 to finish at 16 under, a stroke ahead of Ko and Jessica Korda. Ko had a 71, and Korda shot 66.