Ko Jin-young finishes runner up at Palos Verdes Championship

Ko Jin-yong tees off at the fourth during the third round of the LPGA's Palos Verdes Championship golf tournament on Saturday in Palos Verdes Golf Club in California. [AP/YONHAP]

World No. 1 Ko Jin-young finished runner up at the Palos Verdes Championship presented by Bank of America at Palos Verdes Golf Club in California on Sunday.

Ko carded a nine-under-par, 275, one stroke behind winner Marina Alex of the United States.

Ko had a spectacular first round, carding a seven-under, 64 after birdying six consecutive holes from par-4 second to par-5 seventh then adding one bogey and two more birdies on Thursday.

However, Ko slipped in the second round, carding a double bogey on par-4 fifth even though she had birdied on the hole the day before. Ko was able to come back with a birdie in the par-4 12th but was not able to add any more birdies on Friday.

Ko's form wavered the most on moving day. She carded three bogies and one birdie. Then in the final round, Ko carded a five under, 66, the lowest score of the day to jump up to second place.

Ko opened her last round with a par on the first hole then birdied the par-4 second. After adding another birdie in the par-4 fifth, Ko sunk a long eagle putt two holes later to shave two strokes off her score.

It seemed Ko had a real shot at the top seat after a disappointing tied 21st finish last week at the DIO Implant LA Open, but she bogied the par-3 13th. Though she was able to add another birdie in the par-5 16th, her score was still one stroke short of extending the match to a playoff.

"I played early today so I guessed it was going to be less windy than the first three days so I could have a chance to win if I played really well," Ko said during a post-tournament interview.

"I play really well in the front nine and I played well today [...] It was really fun to play with Bronte. It's good to be back."

The LPGA Tour returns Thursday with the Cognizant Founders Cup at Upper Montclair Country Club, Clifton, New Jersey.

BY YUN SO-HYANG [yun.sohyang@joongang.co.kr]