Lydia Ko: Opens With 63 In Australian Open

The 15-year-old opened the LPGA co-sanctioned ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open with tournament leading 63 at Royal Canberra.

She beat playing partners Yani Tseng by five and Michelle Wie by 11!

Refocused after her history-making New Zealand Open triumph at Clearwater last Sunday, Ko amassed 11 birdies to make an imposing start to the season-opening US$1.2 million LPGA co-sanctioned tournament.
The diminutive right hander opened on the back nine with a bogey five - though that setback was far from an ominous sign.

Ko displayed no signs of anxiety despite featuring in a marquee group alongside world No 1 Yani Tseng and former teenage prodigy Michelle Wie.

The event is being shown on Golf Channel on tape delay, with airtimes starting Thursday in the States:

ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open
Dates: Feb. 14-17
 Venue: Royal Canberra Golf Club, Yarralumla, Australia

Airtimes (Eastern):

Thursday 12:30-2:30 p.m. (Tape Delay)

Friday 12:30-2:30 p.m. (Tape Delay)

Saturday 3-6 p.m. (Tape Delay)

Sunday 3-6:30 p.m. (Tape Delay)

Comments

[M. Salazar]

Does this kid have any idea what she's doing? Doesn't she know this game is not supposed to be this easy! Unbelievable! She shot a 30 on her front 9 with two bogeys!

[Colin MacGillivray]

As some here know, my wife, who was involved with golf in New Zealand, has known Lydia since she was 9. She is self driven absolutely not parent driven (except to competitions) Her posts on her Facebook page reveal her modest attitude. She still plays with a Ï've got nothing to lose""approach. Long may she continue,

[No Longer Used to be Former S&T Convert]

She is about at the point that Ledbetter should be called in, look what he did for Wie.

[Jim S]

Wow!

[Abu Dhabi Golfer]

15 yr old Kydia Ko dusts Stanford Grad and former 13 yr old phemon Michelle Wie by 11 strokes in a single round.

I hear Taps being played in the distance. Wie's career is dead.

So much for the American Hype Machine.

[Golden Bell]

Lydia Ko is the player Michelle Wie's parents wanted Ms. Wie to be.

[digsouth]

Let's hope Nike doesn't have her phone number.

[Ump]

on pace to be the greatest golfer to ever stick a peg in the ground

we are in awe

[dbh]

Colin, when Ko won the Canadian Open her caddy was a long time member at the club.
He sounded gobstruck when asked about it afterwards. He said she took lines of the tee he had never seen anyone male or female attempt (or dare). Said she was just absolutely fearless.

[Mike Clayton]

dbh

I watched her play yesterday. You would be absolutely fearless too if you only hit two shots in 18 holes that were more than ten feet off the line.

[dbh]

Exactly, Mike Clayton. I'll try to hunt up the link. It was an entertaining read.
He started out trying to warn her about 'trouble' and then quickly realized she was just seeing aim points and shot shapes. Trouble didn't really enter into the equation.
That was an impressive victory. She had some solid players chasing her and making moves on Sunday and she never faltered.

[Paul Casey]

Abu Dhabi Golfer like you I too properly hate Americans.

[Bobby D]

In related news...Michelle Wie missed the cut...again.

[tlavin]

Awe is too small a word!