Kiwi Lydia Ko wins the Australian Amateur Title – Golf update
The 13-year-old Lydia Ko of New Zealand, won the Australian Amateur Open in a nail-biting standoff against a formidable rival and defending champion, Cecilia Cho. The round was extended to a second playoff hole after both contenders were neck to neck, finishing
6-under par. Ko claimed the tournament when she tapped in a birdie at the second playoff hole. The young Kiwi termed it as one of the most noteworthy moments in her amateur career.
"Yes it's right up there with being top amateur at the professional tournaments," Ko said. "It's the first four-round win overseas so it's pretty exciting.”
Earlier in the match, Cho carded a birdie for the 17th, and grabbed the lead for the first time. She worked hard to force a playoff but missed a 10 metre birdie with a narrow margin on the first Playoff hole. Ko also missed a 3 metre birdie for
the same hole. The par-5th 18th, however was decisive and the world number four did not miss the birdie this time around. She landed the ball just five metres short in her second shot.
The young golfer at the tender age of 13 has also become the youngest player to win the title in history. She is also the fourth New Zealander to have won the title after Lynnette Brooky in 1993, Sarah Nicholson in 2006 and Cho in 2010.
Ko’s coach, Guy Wilson, spoke on the occasion and said that Ko, at the age of 13, has performed amazingly well. "I guess we tend to forget that Lydia is 13. But the way she handled herself and how she played in the playoff was a big step for her. She will
learn now how to go about winning four-round tournaments. She has worked very hard and her game is really developing well.”
Ko and Cho are the only Kiwis who have qualified for the Match Play phase of the tournament, because only the top 32 from the Stroke Play phase qualify. Aussie Minjee Lee settled for third place with a 75 in the final round. Faye-Amy Nickson finished 46th
while Waikato’s Emily Perry at 54th.
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