PLAYER PROFILE - KO, Lydia

Player Name

KO, Lydia

Club: Gulf Harbour Handicap: +6.3
District: North Harbour OOM: 346.00
 
WAGR Rank: 1  This: 1, Last: 1, Change: -, Country: NZL, Divisor: 65, Pts Avg: 2303.08.
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Profile

Lydia Ko
Date of Birth: 4/24/1997

The World No.1 made international headlines when she claimed the NSW Open to be the youngest ever (male or female) to win a professional event at the age of 14. Ko broke Japanese star Ryo Ishikawa’s mark of winning at 15 years, 8 months, and Australian Amy Yang’s women’s record of 16 years, 192 days in the Australian Ladies Masters. It confirmed her status as one of the most exciting young players in the game today. But golf fans in New Zealand have known that Ko is a special talent for some time. Back in 2009 she was the youngest ever finalist in the New Zealand Amateur when she lost 4 and 3 to Cecilia Cho. Two years later she won the event by the same margin at the Russley Golf Club to become the youngest champion in history. Ko has made a habit of rewriting history in her short but very successful amateur career. She is the youngest winner of the Australian Amateur and winner of the Mellsop Cup (New Zealand Stroke Play) along with a number of other titles. Her performances at the 2010 and 2011 New Zealand Women’s Opens in Christchurch left her professional rivals shaking their heads at the teenager’s incredible composure. She is the youngest played to achieve the mantle of World No.1 and also the youngest golfer to be the medalist at the US Amateur. In young Lydia Ko, New Zealand Golf boasts a superstar of world golf.

Age began golf:

5 years

Why you began golf:

On the way back from visiting aunt's family in Australia, I got a kid's 7 iron and a putter for a present. Dad took me to a driving range and people loved to watch a little girl hitting balls. I loved to hit balls and do putting comps with adults.

Golfer most admired:

Michelle Wie, Rory McIlroy, Lexi Thompson, Phil Mickelson

Hours practice per week:

35 hours

Warm up routine:

Stretching 30 minutes in the morning 30 minutes hitting balls 30 minutes short game 30 minutes putting

Most spectacular shot:

At the Australian Open on the last day hit a 9 Iron from about 110 metre out and holed it!

Strongest part of your game:

Driver, I hit nearly every fairway, and my focus. I have to work hard, which sometimes can be boring but the end result makes me smile.

Most satisfying golf moment:

Winning NSW Open Championship 2012

Best thing about golf:

Meeting new people, enjoying competitions against different ages, concentrating on games, seeing hard work pay off.

Best golfing tip:

To be the best you have to work the hardest.

Aspirations:

Major title winner, New Zealand's best golfer ever.

Advice for new players:

Have fun but at the same time don't forget to remember your goals and dreams

Other interests:

Swimming, anything fun

Dream Foursome:

Michelle Wie (ability with golf and study) Phil Michelson (short game) Ernie Els (nice and smooth swing)

Favourite Course:

Kauri Cliffs, Jacks Point and The Hills

Best competitive score:

-8 NSW Open on Round 2

Best non-competitive score:

-5 at North Shore GC

Best tournament result:

Winning NSW Open

What's in your bag:


Favourite non-golfing activity:

Swimming

Latest Download:

Bruno Mars - The Lazy Song

Favourite band/music:

Big Bang

Favourite Movie:

Harry Potter

Favourite TV Programme:

Criminal Minds

Favourite Food:

Italian

Favourite way of keeping fit:

Anything fun that keeps the heart rate up and works up a sweat.

GALLERY

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    OOM LEADERBOARD

    RANK PLAYER SCORE
    1 Neho, Kadin 140.29
    2 McCall, Vaughan 131.90
    3 Toomey, Luke 126.53
    4 McEwan, Brent 99.80
    5 Munn, Joshua 96.22
    RANK PLAYER SCORE
    1 Ko, Lydia 346.00
    2 Guo, Lita 183.90
    3 Cassidy, Chantelle 150.40
    4 Keh, Mun Chin 127.33
    5 Alvarez, Julianne 120.59