New Zealand golfing prodigy Lydia Ko is locked in a tense battle with Victoria’s Lindsey Wright to be crowned the 2012 women’s NSW Open champion.

After nine holes of the final round, Ko holds a two-stroke lead over Wright at Sydney’s Oatlands golf club to remain on track to create history.

A victory on Sunday would mean the 14-year-old would become the youngest winner of a women’s professional tournament.

Ko, who turns 15 on April 24, would comfortably take the title from Gold Coast youngster Amy Yang, who won the Australian Ladies Masters aged 16 and 192 days.

Ko roared to a four-shot lead on Saturday when she shot a magnificent eight-under 64, but it hasn’t been all one-way traffic on Sunday.

The 14-year-old entered the final round full of confidence, only to see Wright come out on a hot streak, hitting birdies on holes two, four, six, seven and nine – though a bogey on seven set the 32-year-old back a step.

Ko is maintaining the consistency which has seen her register just two bogeys through 75 holes so far this weekend, while adding a birdie on the par-five fourth, which she eagled on Saturday, and another on the eighth.

West Australian Kristie Smith gave herself a chance to be in contention late in the day, shooting four-under on the front nine to be four shots behind the leader with the back nine to play.

Wales’ Becky Morgan was eight-under for the tournament after 10 holes having enjoyed a successful morning which included four birdies.