In-form Ko eyes Australian defence

Lydia Ko already has one win in 2016, and she'll be looking to make it two at this week's ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open.
A calm and collected Ko eased to a two-shot victory at the New Zealand Women's Open on Sunday – her third time winning that tournament – and now heads 'Down Under' to defend the first of five titles she won last year.
Last year, Ko emerged victorious at Royal Melbourne after a final-round duel with Amy Yang, eventually finishing two shots clear of the South Korean.
“Whenever I saw the leaderboard, [Amy] had made another birdie and another one, so I was like, ‘Ok, you need to get your stuff together and you need to make birdies,’” Ko said at the time.
“She’s such a consistent player and she’s been putting so well on these fast greens, so I knew she was tough to get rid of.”
The 18-year-old will be the favourite to defend her title having raked in the plaudits following another sterling performance in her native New Zealand.
The win was also an emotional one for Ko.
"I could feel some tears coming after the 18th hole," she said. "It's been a long week, a lot of emotion and a lot of people to share this amazing victory with. Especially given how much New Zealand golf has been a support to me and my career."
The Women's Australian Open moves from Royal Melbourne to the Grange Golf Club in South Australia this year.
Latest
-
PGA Championship
Tyrell Hatton shares slow play fears as US PGA begins at Southern Hills
This week’s course layout in Tulsa looks set to exacerbate the issue.
-
PGA Championship
‘Recharged’ Shane Lowry excited for week ahead at US PGA Championship
Lowry has finished no worse than 35th in his nine starts this season.
-
PGA Championship
Jordan Spieth relishing playing alongside Tiger Woods in career grand slam bid
Spieth has had five attempts to complete the grand slam since adding the 2017 Open title to the Masters and US Open he won in 2015.
-
News
‘He has his opinion, I have mine’ – Tiger Woods on Phil Mickelson controversy
Woods said Mickelson’s comments about the PGA Tour have been “polarising”.
-
PGA Championship
Rory McIlroy hoping relaxed approach pays dividends at US PGA Championship
McIlroy did his research via videos posted online before travelling to Oklahoma on Monday.
-
PGA Championship
Tiger Woods believes he can scale another mountain and win US PGA Championship
The 46-year-old finished 47th in the year’s first major, his first top-level event since suffering severe leg injuries.
-
News
Rory McIlroy was pretty sure Saudi-backed breakaway would not happen
The Northern Irishman is waiting to see how it plays out.
-
PGA Championship
Graeme Storm recalls ‘surreal’ US PGA adventure after battle with Rory McIlroy
His famous victory over McIlroy came on the third extra hole in the 2017 South African Open in Johannesburg
-
PGA Tour
Lee Kyoung-Hoon shoots his lowest round on the tour to retain Texas title
Dallas-born Jordan Spieth went close with a chip for eagle on the 18th which would have forced a play-off.
-
European Tour
Sam Horsfield ‘so happy’ after winning Soudal Open to secure another title
Horsfield overcame overnight leader Ryan Fox in a thrilling final-round battle.