Ko triumphs in Mexico matchplay

Lydia Ko enjoyed a triumphant start at the Lorena Ochoa Match Play after getting the better of home favourite Ana Menendez.
The Club de Golf Mexico event has switched to a match play format this year, to become the LPGA Tour’s first match play event since 2012.
Top-ranked Ko beat Menendez three-and-two on Thursday after forging a two-hole lead by the fourth and never looking back. She will now face Jennifer Song, who was a three-and-two winner over Mi Hyang Li.
“I am going to try to give myself as many birdie opportunities as I can,” Ko said.
“I think a big key going forward is that you need to have many birdies opportunities, because some of them will end up falling.”
The two Jutanugarn sisters will face each other in the second round after Ariya beat Amy Anderson five-and-four to set up an encounter against older sister Moriya – a two-and-one winner over Alena Sharp.
“I think playing against her will be fun, because even if I don’t make a putt in that hole and she does I’ll feel happy for her,” said Ariya.
Among the other results, Carlota Ciganda beat Mexico’s Gaby Lopez five-and-three, while Michelle Wie routed Lizette Salas six-and-five.
Wie will face Laura Gonzalez Escallon in the next round after the Belgian beat fourth ranked In Gee Chun two-and-one.
Latest
-
News
Rory McIlroy leads the way in Abu Dhabi as he eyes overdue victory
McIlroy will have to keep his Ryder Cup team-mates at bay if he is to claim the trophy.
-
News
Tyrrell Hatton dominant as Rory McIlroy falters in Abu Dhabi
Hatton led by five shots at the end of a second weather-affected day.
-
News
Phil Mickelson on Tiger’s latest surgery: ‘I feel bad because golf should be a game of a lifetime’
Mickelson admitted he was saddened by the news of Woods’ latest back surgery.
-
News
Rory McIlroy makes brilliant start to fog-affected Abu Dhabi Championship
McIlroy has a remarkable record in Abu Dhabi with four second-place finishes.
-
News
Rory McIlroy shines in Abu Dhabi to take first-round lead following flawless 64
McIlroy has a remarkable record in Abu Dhabi with four second-place finishes, three thirds and a fifth in his last nine starts, but has never won.
-
News
Justin Thomas on end of Ralph Lauren deal: ‘They moved on so that’s what I’m doing as well’
Justin Thomas said he was upset by...
-
News
My last win feels a long time ago – Rory McIlroy aiming to start year on a high
McIlroy has not tasted victory since November 2019.
-
News
Rory McIlroy insists Justin Thomas will ‘try to be better’ after homophobic slur
World number three Thomas was heard using a derogatory word towards himself after missing a par putt in Hawaii.
-
News
Rory McIlroy sad to miss Conor McGregor fight
Rory McIlroy has been to UFC star Conor Mcgregor’s last three fights but will miss Saturday’s clash due to European Tour commitments.
-
News
Rory McIlroy backs Tiger Woods to make quick recovery from latest back surgery
McIlroy expects the American to be fit for the Masters in April.