Ko feels relief with Aust Open victory

Lydia Ko wasn't sure how she would handle playing with the top ranking but proved it wouldn't be a burden with victory in the Australian Open.

Teenage superstar Lydia Ko says the pressure's off after claiming her maiden title as world No.1 with victory in the Australian Open.

The 17-year-old New Zealander took the crown at Royal Melbourne with a two-stroke win from Gold Coast-trained South Korean Amy Yang.

Ko became the youngest ever world No.1 earlier this month and is now the youngest Australian Open champion.

She said she wasn't sure if carrying the mantle of the game's best golfer would affect her play.

"I didn't know how I would play and react to becoming world No.1," Ko said.

"It's good to know for my confidence that I can still play good and not really think about the ranking."

Despite the hot and steamy conditions on Melbourne's sand-belt, a cool and calm Ko finished at nine under overall, which included a stunning eagle at the third.

Yang carded a one-under 72 to finish at seven under.

Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn was third at four under after a final round 76.

The best Australian finisher was another teenager, Minjee Lee, who was in a tie for seventh at one under for the tournament after closing with a 72.

Ko and Yang duelled for the lead through the final round, with a 90-minute suspension of play for lightning helping Ko's cause.

While Ko had just dropped a shot on the par-five eighth, Yang had birdied nine and was ready to putt for an eagle on 10 when the siren sounded.

Yang settled for a birdie after her ball circled the hole but failed to drop.

It still gave her the lead but it didn't last long with Ko adding two birdies on the back nine.

Yang also had two birdies but bogeys on 15 and 17 snuffed out her challenge.

"I think that break was really good for me," Ko said.

"I had some lunch and got my stuff together there and I played much better after that."

She said winning at Royal Melbourne was special, with the course playing as difficult as the set-up for a major.

"It's pretty awesome and I feel so fortunate that I can play at these great golf courses.

"Winning at the end of the week is a great thing but to be able to play here is my favourite thing."


Share

3 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world