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Lydia Ko: 16, Still An Amateur & Still Winning

by Jeff Skinner

ko canadianAmazing things are happening on the LPGA Tour.  Lexi Thompson at 18 has now become an “older” player.

She can thank a much younger player for that. Sixteen year old Lydia Ko is up to her old, well kind of old, tricks again.  After her win at the LPGA’s CN Canadian Women’s Open Ko has now amassed four professional victories, all as an amateur.

Ko didn’t just win in Canada yesterday, she won going away.  While the rest of the field struggled to go low, Ko had no problem shooting a 64 with six birdies and a lone bogey.

It meant a five shot win over the best golfers in the world.  And this is a field that included 23 of the 24 Solheim Cup players so Ko beat the best…again.

It isn’t only Ko’s game that is mature beyond its years.  Ko herself has the calm demeanor of an old pro.

“I’m pretty surprised, but I played some really good golf out there, so I was really happy about that,” said Ko. “My goal today was to shoot 5‑under and just play my own game.  If somebody else shot better, then I can’t do anything about it.”

The win marks Ko’s fourth professional win.  She has won the 2012 CN Canadian Women’s Open, the 2012 Women’s New South Wales Open on the ALPG and the 2013 ISPS Handa Women’s New Zealand Open on the Ladies European Tour.

Ko’s record is bewildering.  A sixteen year old amateur beating the best women golfers is hard to explain.  How much longer will she remain an amateur?  Only Ko knows but she insists there is no timetable yet and is enjoying her life now. Why not…beating the pros as a teenager is pretty good stuff.

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2 Comments

  1. Lydia Ko is really amazing. Her opponents probably considered her an amateur. But there she is! She must have done some tricks. Well, it’s expected from everyone. Keep it up, Lydia!

  2. She only proves that golf is not just for adults but for everyone. I bet more teens have been inspired of her winning. Who wouldn’t be? At the age of 16, I was just watching my elders and the way others wear their white apparels. It sounds funny but yes it fascinates me when I see everybody wearing all white. Not at the moment though. I find it boring so I had to make some twist in the golf fashion. As a teenage golf champion, Lydia Ko must wear a nice pair of golf apparel that’s right for her age.

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