Ko equals Sorenstam’s below-par record

World No.1 Lydia Ko has equalled the LPGA Tour record for the most consecutive rounds under par.

Contesting the first major of the year, the ANA Inspiration tournament in California, New Zealand teenager Ko carded a one-under 71 to hold a share of the lead among the early clubhouse finishers.

She equals the record for successive sub-par rounds set by former world No.1 Annika Sorenstam of Sweden 11 years ago.

The 17-year-old shot a birdie on her penultimate hole, the eighth, to maintain her streak.

It capped a fluctuating opening round at the Mission Hills course, which began with birdies on holes 10 and 12.

She then recorded bogeys on four of the next six holes before a steadier performance on the front nine.

Ko is chasing her first win in a major.

If successful, she will be the youngest woman to do so, breaking the record set by American Morgan Pressel, who won the same tournament at the age of 18 in 2007.

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