Nomura clinches historic Australian Open win

Haru Nomura has provided the LPGA tour its first Japanese Australian Open champion since the inaugural event in 1974.

Nomura saved her best for last in the fourth and final round of the event at the Grange Golf Club, shooting 65 to finish seven-under-par for the day and 16 under overall.

So comfortable was her victory, she could easily afford a bogey on the final hole after a near flawless round.

Nomura carded three birdies in a row prior to the final hole as she showed incredible nerves to hold steady and convert her chances.

Second-placed Lydia Ko could not keep pace with Nomura despite a solid round herself.

Ko finished the round five under after carding 67 and 13-under overall after she too bogeyed the final hole.

The duo started the final round sharing the lead at nine under, alongside American Danielle Kang, who endured a tough day at the office as she shot one over for the round to finish the tournament at eight under.

Kang struggled for birdies all day, finishing with just three while hitting a bogey on the sixth hole and a double bogey on the 16th.

Karrie Webb’s one under for the round was enough to move the Australian to a third-placed finish at her home event, but her final score of nine under was some way off the pace set by the brilliant Nomura.