ADELAIDE: Japan’s Haru Nomura fired a closing seven-under 65 to deny defending champion and world No 1 Lydia Ko and win the LPGA-sanctioned Australian Open at The Grange here on Sunday.

Nomura, 23, holed eight birdies in the final round having started the day in a three-way share of the lead at nine-under.

The Japanese closed the door on Ko’s chances with a monster 15-metre birdie putt at the 17th when she was three shots ahead of the New Zealand ace.

It allowed Nomura the luxury of her only bogey at the par-four 18th. Ko finished alone in second place at 13-under par after finishing with a five-under 67.