Kowary of Clearwater course andpressureaheadofnzopen
Lydia Ko admits to feeling the pressure ahead of the New Zealand Women’s Open but that is because winning her national championship at Clearwater on Sunday afternoon would mean so much to the world’s top-ranked amateur golfer.
Ko is perhaps the only amateur golfer in the world who can tee it up in a professional tournament and be considered a genuine favourite, and this week will be no different for the seemingly unflappable 15-year-old.
Only two players in the field will take a higher ranking than Ko, ranked overall as the world No 38, into the fifth edition of the women’s open, again co-sanctioned between the European and Australian tours.
Throw her recent form into the mix – she was runner-up defending her New South Wales Open title a fortnight ago, coming off a stellar 2012, and there is huge expectation on her. Most media will be there to cover Ko’s fortunes as much if not more than the tournament itself, and many of the punters will only have eyes for one woman. It’s something the supremely talented Aucklander understands and is adapting to.
‘‘I do feel a bit of pressure,’’ said Ko, who skipped the Australian Ladies Masters last weekend so she could arrive in Christchurch early and have a full week’s preparation at the unfamiliar Clearwater course.
‘‘But I have to block it out and concentrate on my game and my game only. The New Zealand Open is one of my most important tournaments and I’m always happy to play the open. [Winning it] would mean a lot. It’s making history within New Zealand and I would be so proud of myself.’’
Ko didn’t play at the inaugural event in 2009, at Clearwater, but finished tied for seventh in 2010 (aged 12), tied for fourth in 2011 (aged 13), and tied for 17th last year (aged 14) when she was in contention but faded in the final round.
All brilliant performances for an amateur of her age, but in the past 12 months her game has moved to new levels and this must be regarded as her best opportunity yet to become the first New Zealander to win the tournament.
Ko, however, is somewhat guarded. The past three editions were hosted at Pegasus but a return to the tougher Clearwater layout this year.
She played the course while in town for the men’s New Zealand Open last November and has been getting as much time as she can on the fairways and greens this week.
‘‘I have only played there once and it seems like a beautiful course and it also seemed quite challenging,’’ she said.
‘‘It seems to be less open [than Pegasus]. But I haven’t played Clearwater many times so I’m not that sure of the course.’’
Three of the four former champions – 2009 champion Gwladys Nocera of France, 2010 champion Laura Davies of England and 2011 champion Kristie Smith of Australia – are teeing it up this week, but the defending champion, Australian Lindsey Wright, is a late withdrawal through injury.
Ko, as an amateur, cannot lay claim to the $315,000 purse.