Golf: Ko in contention again

Lydia Ko has continued her sensational start to 2013 by carding a three under par 69 to sit in a share of 10th place after round one of the Thailand PGA.

The 15-year-old, who in the last fortnight won the New Zealand Open and finished third at the Australian Open, once again displayed her composure on the big stage on the LPGA Tour.

Ko was playing alongside Americans Lexi Thompson and Juli Inkster at the Siam Country Club in Chonburi where she made the turn in two under par 34.

She added further birdies on the 12th and 15th to get to four under par and within striking distance of the lead, but two late bogeys blotted her round before she made birdie on 18.

Ko will begin round two six shots back from American Stacey Lewis who opened with the round of the day - a nine under par 63 that included eight birdies, an eagle and a bogey - to lead the tournament by one shot.

If Ko can carry her recent form into the weekend her remarkable record in the professional events will be further enhanced. She has now played 12 professional events in her career, winning three titles, finishing runner-up twice and never missing a cut.

Her third place finish last week saw her climb to No 26 in the world and she is well ahead of Swiss golfer Nobuhle Dlamini as the world No 1 amateur.