Ko romps home in California

New Zealand's world No.1 women's golfer Lydia Ko nailed her dress rehearsal for the first major of the year by cruising to victory at the Kia Classic in California.

Ko took a three-shot lead into the final round at the Aviara Golf Club at Carlsbad and withstood a challenge from former world No.1 Inbee Park to claim her first LPGA win of the year.

The 18-year-old fired a five-under par closing round to end on 19-under for the tournament, four shots clear of Park who got to within a shot at one stage

But world No.1 Ko closed with three birdies in the ideal confidence boost ahead the first women's major of the year, the ANA Inspiration, next week at Rancho Mirage in California.

She is chasing back-to-back majors after claiming the Evian Championship in France last year.

The best of the Australian contingent was teenager Minjee Lee who tied for 20th, 13 shots adrift of Ko, despite her hole-in-one albatross on the par-four 16th during the third round.

Sarah Jane Smith finished five shots further back from Lee while Karrie Webb tied for 43rd with an even-par total.