Lydia Ko World No. 1 amateur of New Zealand is part of a glamour grouping that will tee off early in the first round of the ISPS Handa NZ Women’s Open hosted by Christchurch.
The young Kiwi star will be joined by world No. 19 ranked Angela Stanford (USA) and Europe’s No 1 ranked Carlota Ciganda (Spain) in the opening round of the 54-hole tournament which is co-sanctioned between the Ladies European Tour and the Australian Ladies Professional Golf.
The fifth New Zealand Open, to be staged at Clearwater Golf Club, has attracted its strongest field with 14 players inside the world’s top 100 led by Stanford along with three winners of majors in former world No 1 Laura Davies, Anna Nordqvist and Sophie Gustafson.
“I just like to play golf, to enjoy myself and play as well as I can,” Ciganda said. “It is not pressure for me to be No 1. Last year I did not have much expectation because it was my first year. I was enjoying my time with friends and my caddy who is a good friend.”
“The course at Clearwater is in good condition and it is looking very good – good greens, good fairways. I am looking forward to it.You need a good strategy because it is not easy with the wind. There are a few tricky holes in the front and back nine. It is the same for everyone.”
Ko, the youngest player to win a professional tournament on the ALPG and LPGA last year, is already up to No 38 in the world.
Read also:
http://en.africatopsports.com/2013/02/08/golf-competition-for-sterne-and-kieffer/