Ko cruises to second Open win
It started as a procession, got very tight in the middle, and ended as a procession.
Kiwi golf star Lydia Ko was crowned the New Zealand Women’s Open champion for the second time in three years after strolling to victory at the Clearwater Golf Club in Christchurch.
The 17-year-old world No 1’s margin of victory over Australian amateur Hannah Green was four shots but the final round wasn’t without tension, if not for Ko then certainly for the large gallery following her every swing.
At one stage on the back nine a fiveshot lead was cut to two as England’s Charley Hull made a move and Ko had some wobbles.
But a three-shot swing on the 12th, when Ko made a 15-foot birdie and Hull double-bogeyed, essentially sealed the deal and the Kiwi was able to enjoy the run home.
‘‘I really wanted to win in front of such great crowds, this is probably the biggest crowd I’ve seen,’’ said Ko, who admitted she enjoyed her walk up the 18th.
‘‘I hit a really good shot in, if I was chipping I would’ve been more nervous but when you hit a good shot on the green it’s a nice feeling.
‘‘It’s always cool winning on home ground. We were walking up 16 and (playing partner Giulia Sergas) said ‘they like you’. I said ‘well, it’s home’. It’s just great, the spectators have been amazing. It’s one of the best tournaments I play each year, the atmosphere and everything.’’
Ko had Prime Minister John Key for company on the back nine; he joined the final group on the 12th – coincidentally just as Ko pulled away – and, wearing a bright green polo to contrast Ko’s bright pink, he was all smiles, as were the thousands of punters who came out in support of the local star.
For the record, Ko carded a one-under 71 in the final round, getting to 14-under for the 54-hole Ladies European TourALPG tournament and winning by four shots from Green, who closed with a four-under 68 to get to 10-under.
Hull’s charge faded as she closed with a 77 to tie for fifth at seven-under. Denmark’s Nanna Koerstz Madsen (71) finished alone in third, at nine-under.
Ko pockets $44,400 for the win, she will retain her No 1 world ranking, and makes it two wins in a stunning stint Down Under after claiming the LPGA Tour’s Australian Open in Melbourne a week ago.
‘‘The more Ws the better but it was just great and I think I had a really good (off-season) break which got me fresh going into this year.’’
Her second New Zealand triumph is also her 10th win from 58 professional starts and sixth since turning pro in 16 months ago. The field wasn’t world-class this week but Ko was for large chunks, particularly during her course record 11-under 61 in the second round, the lowest of her career.