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
-
NewsBilly Horschel claims all-American final against Scottie Scheffler in Austin
Scheffler had plenty of crowd support as a native Texan and drew first blood at the Austin Country Club.
-
NewsColin Montgomerie criticises slow play as Horschel and Scheffler reach final
It took Scottie Scheffler and Matt Kuchar four hours and eight minutes to complete their match.
-
NewsTommy Fleetwood’s challenge in Texas ends despite ace
Billy Horschel was one of three Americans to reach the last four in Austin.
-
NewsTommy Fleetwood books quarter-final place in Austin after hole-in-one
The Englishman’s ace at the fourth followed Sergio Garcia’s hole-in-one there on Friday.
-
NewsSergio Garcia hits hole-in-one to reach WGC Match Play last 16
The Spaniard made an ace on the fourth play-off hole to get the better of Lee Westwood.
-
NewsTommy Fleetwood holds off Bryson DeChambeau to progress in Austin
The Englishman had been four up but the match went down the last.
-
NewsRory McIlroy on current form: ‘The game is testing me more than it has done in recent years’
The former World No 1 admits only hard work will lift him out of his current run of bad form.
-
NewsDustin Johnson finishes strongly to avoid defeat to Robert MacIntyre in Austin
Johnson made an eagle on the par-five 16th and birdied the 17th.
-
NewsJustin Thomas crashes out of WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play after second loss
Thomas lost 3&2 to Matt Kuchar on day one and 2&1 to defending champion Kevin Kisner on Thursday.
-
NewsIan Poulter backs Rory McIlroy to bounce back after match play rout
The four-time major champion has made recent changes to his team.