August 21, 2016 6:47am by David Farrar

Lydia wins silver

New Zealand’s Lydia Ko has claimed a silver medal at the Rio Olympics, finishing runner-up to South Korea’s Inbee Park in the women’s golf tournament.

Park finished on 16-under after shooting five-under 66 in the final round, to claim a dominant five-shot victory.

Ko avoided a playoff for silver with China’s Shanshan Feng after picking up a birdie on the 18th. Feng claimed bronze on 10-under with Ko shooting two-under 69 in the final round, finishing at 11-under overall.

“Today not many putts were falling,” Ko said. “But for a crucial putt like that on the 18th [hole] to fall, I think I celebrated like the gold medallist… This means so much more to me. Since 2009 I’ve just dreamt and imagined myself to be here in Rio alongside the world’s best athletes.

“Having this silver medal is just a dream come true. The Olympics isn’t about [whether] somebody lost to another player. It celebrates each and every athlete and we’ve all won. This week has just been surreal.”

Great words from our best sportswoman.

We’ve now won 17 medals which I think is a record for NZ.

On the various league tables we are: