Lindsey Wright wins in New Zealand

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CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand -- Australia's Lindsey Wright made a 13-foot birdie putt on the par-5 18th for a 4-under 68 and a one-stroke victory Sunday in the New Zealand Women's Open.

Wright finished at 10-under 206 at Pegasus Golf Club in the event sanctioned by the Ladies European Tour and Australian Ladies Professional Golf.

"It's unbelievable," Wright said. "It's still sinking in. I putted really well all day and the last six holes I was really nervous."

The 32-year-old former Pepperdine player is a regular on the LPGA Tour.

American Alison Walshe and Australia's Jessica Speechley tied for second. Walshe closed with a 69, and Speechley had a 65.

"I looked at the leaderboard and saw Alison Walshe up there and Speechley at 9 under and thought, 'No, I can make this putt. Just keep your head down, just hit a great putt," Wright said.

Canada's Lorie Kane and Australia's Stephanie Na shot 69 to tie for fourth at 8 under.

Fourteen-year-old Lydia Ko, part of a six-way tie for the second-round lead, shot a 74 to tie for 17th at 4 under. The South Korean-born New Zealander, the world's top-ranked amateur, became the youngest winner of a professional tour event last month in the Women's New South Wales Open.

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press

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