Lydia Ko has once again made history. Not content with having been the youngest ever winner of a professional tournament, and not content with being the world's best female amateur golfer, she has blitzed the field at the Canadian Women's Open on the USLPGA Tour. In doing so, she has become the LPGA's youngest ever winner, and the first New Zealnder to win on women's golf's toughest and most competitive tour.
And Ko didn't just win today. She shot a 5 under par 67 in the final round, equaling the low round of the day. That gave her a three-shot margin over the chasing pack which might have been even more had Ko not bogeyed the closing hole. It was an emphatic victory against a field of seasoned professionals.
So just how good is Lydia Ko? Right now, at 15 years and four months of age she has shown that she can compete with the best in the world, amateur or professional. Perhaps the question we should be asking is this; just how good can she become? Her work ethic is reported to be enormous, and yet she retains the youthful exuberance of a teenager, and seems to have a fantastic temperament and attitude.
We congratulate Lydia Ko warmly on her latest triumph. She is going to provide the likes of Valerie Adams and Lisa Carrington stiff competition when it comes time to hand out the 2012 Halberg Awards.
3 comments:
Absolutely incredible effort. Cannot give enough praise to her. What Valerie and Lisa did at the Olympics was tremendous but it pales into insignificance after Lydia's exploits over the past 2 weeks. British Open next?
I first saw her when she was 7 playing in the NZ Womens Strokeplay champs at Titirangi. She only hit it far enough to just clear a couple of the hazards off her tee shots but she showed a poise and maturity well above her age.
John Lister, a former tour player, had told me about her. He was involved with her in the early stages of her career and everthing he said she would do, she has done and more.
She is smart in wanting to do college first.
A big bouquet to David Levene as well who stepped in and is now supporting her with expenses. Without that help, she would be in the US now.
Yip she Is pretty darn good alright.
What a lovely disposition toward the game, how can she fail with a grin like that.
What an incredible result. Her achievements over the past 2 weeks have paled into significance the wonderful efforts of Valerie and Lisa at the Olympics. Next up the British Open.
I first saw her play as a 7 year old at the NZomen's Strokeplay Champs at Titirangi. She could just make some of the carries from the tee but she showed a maturity and self belief beyond those years.
John Lister, a former Tour Player, who had a involvement with her and her family at the start of her career, suggested I keep an eye on her. Everything he suggested could happen has occured plus more.
A very special bouquet must go to Auckland businessman David Levene who stepped in earlier this year and provided the funding for this, and future trips. Without his help, none of this might have happened.
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