Women’s British Open set for latest Ko & Henderson battle

Stars look forward to Woburn challenge

WOBURN, UK, July 27, (AFP): Lydia Ko and Brooke Henderson — ranked number one and two in the world — are two teenagers enjoying the time of their lives in women’s golf ahead of the Women’s British Open on Thursday.

New Zealander Ko, 19, holds two of the five major titles — the Evian Championship and ANA Inspiration — and Canadian Henderson, five months younger, claimed her first major at the Women’s PGA Championship in Seattle last month, beating Ko in a play-off.

They go into the British Open at Woburn set for another head-to-head battle.

Then it will be on to the Olympic Games in Rio and, while many of the top men have controversially pulled out, Ko and Henderson are relishing the sport’s comeback to the Games.

“I respect everyone’s opinion and everybody that pulled out,” said Henderson, who will be 19 in September.

“There’s a lot of stuff going on in Rio that we can’t really control.

“The Zika virus, health issues, political issues, whatever it is. But, at the same time, it’s the Olympics.

“They are going to try and do everything they can to make it safe for

Lyda Ko of New Zealand watches her tee shot on the 13th hole during the final round of the Marathon Classic presented by Owens Corning and O-I at Highland Meadows Golf Club on July 17, in

Sylvania, Ohio. (AFP)

us, the athletes. I don’t plan on venturing anywhere.

“Just go to Rio, stay at the Olympic Village, go the golf course and come home. Nothing crazy. It’s an opportunity of a lifetime to go down there and experience it for the first time.”

She did admit she had fleetingly had doubts about taking part.

“We were on the fence a little bit,” she continued.

“We wanted to make sure we had all the information because it was a bit scary. But we’re set to go and looking forward to it.”

Ko, already a 14-time winner on the LPGA Tour, is also positive about Rio. “I’m super excited,” she said. “Ever since they announced that golf would be in the Olympics I wanted to get to Rio. I would love the chance to be an Olympian.

“I think this is a way that a lot of junior fans and people outside golf can get an interest in it.

“It is a great step forward. Hearing some of the guys pulling out is unfortunate, but you have to understand where they are coming from.

“But, on the girls’ side, I think we are all excited. I think there are a lot of positives. It’s not as though there is no-one playing from the men’s side.

“For some of them, it’s about growing a family so it’s hard to say it’s wrong what they are doing.

“It’s quite hard to hear about Zika and I think we all have to understand where each player is coming from and