KICKED IN THE RIBS
Tea’s out for Kiwi star Ko in halfway crash at Dundonald
That was one of the most difficult rounds of my career, physically and mentally LYDIA KO
LYDIA KO equalled her second-worst score as a professional yesterday as Cristie Kerr takes a slender lead into today’s third round of the women’s Scottish Open.
World No.4 Ko crashed out at halfway in the £1.2million tournament after being blown off course at Dundonald Links – where rounds eventually took up to almost six hours to complete.
A second round of 73 was enough for Kerr to move to the top of the leaderboard on five-under par with first-round leader Karrie Webb a shot behind after a 75.
And Ko reckons a lack of her favourite dish on her Troon hotel menu might have had something to do with her surprise demise.
The New Zealand star acquired a taste for spare ribs on her previous visit to Ayrshire two years ago to make her debut in the event. But she said: “I didn’t get to try them this time. It was my favourite thing on the menu but they took it off.”
However the Korean-born star, 20, doubts she’d have survived even if she had been able to stock up on protein before her 6.45am tee-time.
Ko has only once posted a higher score, an 80 in the 2014 British Open.
She said: “These were among the windiest conditions I’ve played in, especially where it was wide open with no tree cover. That was one of the most difficult rounds I’ve played in my career, physically and mentally. I missed three one-yard putts in a row.
“But when you’re playing the Scottish or the British Open, the wind is something you have to take into account and there’s a lot to learn from this week.
“I was driving it really well and hopefully I can bring that into next week at Kingsbarns.”
Scotland’s Carly Booth used a pink ball as she muscled her way into the top 11 with a solid 70 for one-over par.
Booth, 25, from Comrie, is just six off the lead. She said: “Apart from knowing which ball is mine, I just like the colour. My stats with it are just as good if not better than the ball I was using and that’s why I changed.
“The wind this morning was crazy but I played really solid and had 27 putts compared to 35 yesterday.”
Leader Kerr could only be philosophical about battling the tough conditions again.
After a round including three birdies, two bogeys and a double bogey, the American said: “I didn’t hit it that great but I still managed.”