Ko excited to play 6th NZ Open
LYDIA KO ‘‘can’t wait’’ to tee up in her sixth successive New Zealand Women’s Open.
As reported yesterday, the 17-year-old golfing phenomenon has chosen to play her national open over chasing a much bigger purse in Thailand at an LPGA Tour tournament run by her management team, IMG.
She will be the major drawcard for the 54-hole event from February 27-March 1.
Ko, who yesterday climbed one place to No 2 in the world rankings, said that she was excited to come home and attempt to win the open for the second time in three years.
‘‘There is nothing like playing in front of my home fans and this makes this tournament one of my favourite events of the year,’’ she said yesterday.
‘‘I can’t wait to be back home with some good friends and family and, hopefully, have a chance to win my national open for a second time.’’
Most predicted that Ko would favour the Thailand event but she has remained loyal to New Zealand, and NZ Golf, which has supported her throughout her career. But Ko has always said she wants to play every New Zealand Open.
It’s a major fillip for the event. Ko is the difference between thousands of fans turning up and a handful.
‘‘This is wonderful news for the New Zealand Women’s Open and for golf in general in New Zealand,’’ NZG chief executive Dean Murphy said.
‘‘Lydia is a fantastic ambassador for New Zealand on the world stage and it means so much to the golfing community that she has made coming home to play in her national open a priority.’’
Ko has played in the last five New Zealand Opens, first appearing in the tournament as a 12-yearold.
She won the 2013 tournament as an amateur and was upset by a single shot by Korea’s Mi Hyuang Lee this year.
Murphy said it wasn’t an easy decision for the young superstar as she was looking to get off to the perfect start on the LPGA Tour season.
‘‘Lydia loves coming home and she really appreciates the support she gets when she plays here.
‘‘She is plying her trade on the LPGA Tour so this event doesn’t help her in that regard but she has shown her loyalty again to New Zealand and made a huge effort to be home.
‘‘It goes without saying that we are unbelievably proud of what Lydia has achieved on the world stage and to have her home, playing the national open in 2015 is going to be incredible.
‘‘I am like many people and I can’t wait to see her tee it up at Clearwater.’’
Three former champions – France’s Gwladys Nocera, England’s Laura Davies, and Australian Kristie Smith – are confirmed starters, along with Ko.
There are 15 Ladies European Tour winners and three LPGA Tour winners in the field, which will again include American Cheyenne Woods, niece of Tiger Woods.