Posted: 28 Jan 2011 10:31 AM PST

Lydia Ko, 13, is confident of her abilities. Photo / Christine Cornege.

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Lydia Ko turned heads in Australia when she finished second in the New South Wales Open.

At just 13, the North Harbour amateur is set for an amazing career, one she and coach Guy Wilson believe can take her to the top of world golf.

The teenager is no stranger to cleaning up against adult opponents and is quietly confident of getting close to the leaderboard in her next big assignment, the Australian Open, which starts in Melbourne on Thursday.

Ko was 5 when she arrived in New Zealand from Korea, the new powerhouse of women's golf. She is well on the way to becoming a household name.

A student at Pinehurst School, Albany, she calls New Zealand home while acknowledging the importance of her Korean roots.

Ko takes a few questions from the Herald.

What are your aims for the rest of the year?
I want be No1 on the New Zealand order of merit. I would like New Zealand Golf to send me to the British Amateur and have a better record this year than last year. The Australian Open is most important because it will be my first time there but the New Zealand Open is also very important to me.

Your goal in the Australian Open?
I'm aiming for a top 20 finish.

Your long-term aims?
I want to play on the American tour and be No1 in the world. If I try hard, I think I can do that. When I practice, I listen to music on my MP3 player and get into the rhythm. What sort of music?Korean pop songs.

Favourite band?
It varies.

Golfing heroes, and why?
Phil Mickelson and Michelle Wie. Phil Mickelson is left handed I really like how he gets set, I like his short game and he is also so powerful. As a right-hander it looks hard to play left handed. Michelle Wie is so confident at her age, playing in men's tournaments as well.

What do you love most about golf?
Winning. If not winning, maybe just the success you can have in the future.

Dislikes?
I don't really have a dislike but probably when I can't play as well as I'd like to.

Are your adult opponents extra friendly because of your age or are you just another competitor?
Everybody is welcoming. Just because I'm younger people are still competitive, which is good, but people are very nice to me.

Your best round?
I don't have one round but I played very well last year from November to December. That was the best I've ever played.
I won the Grange Open, then I was the player of the tournament at the interprovincial championships and also won the Srixon Invitational (at Gulf Harbour).

Favourite club?
There shouldn't be a favourite club. I should love them all. You need to be confident with all the clubs. I need to work most on my putting. Do you find it hard to handle the growing attention?At first I found it very hard but I think I'm getting better at using words. I'm less nervous with speeches. Do you have time for hobbies?Not really. I like to go out to my friends. We just meet up. They all know that I play golf and they are such good friends who are very supportive and text me, even though I don't have a lot of time to see them.

Is it true that your parents moved the family to New Zealand for the sake of your golf?
Yes. They thought I could make a living from golf.

You have a Korean home life in a Kiwi world?
People ask me "Are you Korean or Kiwi?". I know more about New Zealand than I remember about Korea. That doesn't mean I want to leave Korea behind ... [but] I will always represent New Zealand when I am playing around the world.

That's good news ... what are the hurdles you will face as a professional?
Pressure, better players, more spectators.
Asian, and particularly Korean, players are dominating women's golf. What do you put that down to?Koreans try to work hard, they try to train for their goals and they don't let up ... If you see a Korean who doesn't make it in golf it's not because they didn't work hard, it will be because it wasn't the correct sport for them even if they enjoy the game. I'm not sure why Koreans work so hard.

Your parents are very supportive.
Yes. Guy [coach Guy Wilson] and everyone at the Institute of Golf are as well - what they do for me is so great, which makes me want to play better. The people from New Zealand Golf help whenever they can.

You must be excited about the future - is becoming the world No1 really possible?
I think I can do it but if I don't then definitely top five.

By Chris Rattue | Email Chris

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Golf Digest and GolfWrx.com announce partnership

Posted: 28 Jan 2011 12:42 PM PST

An announcement made on Friday will be of particular interest to equipment enthusiasts:

New York, NY - The Golf Digest Properties and GolfWrx.com have entered into a strategic partnership, it was announced today by both parties. By developing content and new community features, the two leaders in golf will join forces to create the ultimate destination for golf enthusiasts. As part of the partnership, the Golf Digest Properties will also collaborate on advertising sales with GolfWrx.com, further extending the Golf Digest Properties' reach into the social media space. As a part of the deal, GolfWrx will retain its branding, and its traffic reporting will be rolled into GolfDigest.com.

"Participants in GolfWrx.com's forums are as avid about the game of golf as Golf Digest and Golf World readers, so this is the perfect fit. In particular, our equipment editors look forward to regular appearances on GolfWrx.com , where users can ask the why and the how of our equipment coverage, beginning with our annual Hot List," said Golf Digest Brand Editor, Bob Carney. "For golf aficionados, the marrying of Golf Digest and Golf World content with GolfWrx forums is ideal."

GolfWrx.com will continue to provide a home for golf enthusiasts, with an emphasis on equipment, while Golf Digest and Golf World editors will host equipment discussions to share their expertise and answer questions about Golf Digest and Golf World equipment coverage and reviews.

"Joining forces with an established and authoritative brand such as the Golf Digest Properties will resonate with the passionate community we've cultivated with GolfWrx," said Richard Audi, president of GolfWrx. "We welcome the contributions of its editors and look forward to creating innovative new offerings for advertisers in the conversational web."

Golf-Putter meltdown no problem for improvising Jimenez

Posted: 28 Jan 2011 08:01 AM PST

By Bernie McGuire

RIFFA, Bahrain, Jan 28 (Reuters) - Miguel Angel Jimenez snapped his putter in half in an angry outburst but his wedge proved a perfect replacement as the Spaniard earned a share of the lead at the Volvo Golf Champions event on Friday.

Jimenez, non-plussed by missing a number of putts, hurled his putter at his golf bag after recording a par at the 13th hole at the Royal Golf Club course. The unfortunate putter broke on impact.

Under the Rules of Golf, Jimenez was not allowed to replace the putter and instead he putted out over the closing five holes using a wedge.

The 47-year-old had taken 22 putts up until the incident and proceeded to remarkably take just seven more in a total of 29 putts for his second round of 65 which earned a four-way share of the lead on 11-under.

"I'm thinking now I might start using my lob wedge as I made a birdie with that one," Jimenez told reporters.

Jimenez shares the lead with Sweden's Peter Hanson (67), Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin (65) and Italy's Edoardo Molinari (65).

Hanson eagled the ninth and then birdied four holes in succession from the 11th.

"I'm really looking forward to the weekend and being backup in contention and hopefully another solid round tomorrow and then it's going to be very interesting come Sunday," said the Swede.

"I don't think anyone is going to run away with this event tomorrow."

Four players—Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke, England's Paul Casey, South African James Kingston and Scotland's Stephen Gallacher (64) - are well placed sharing fifth place at 10-under par.

Overnight leader Johan Edfors of Sweden remains well in frame to end a five-year winless drought despite slipping into a share of ninth place at nine-under par with Italy's Francesco Molinari.

Edfors could only add a 71 to his opening round of 64 but was pleased to be heading to the weekend just two strokes from the lead.

"One under par was not a good score on this golf course today and it's just that I didn't hit my driver all that well," he told Reuters.

"That hurt me a lot and I also didn't putt that well. But I am still in good shape."

(Editing by Justin Palmer

To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

Golf Zone

Friday, January 28, 2011

“Golf: Young powerhouse eyes world No1 spot” plus 2 more

“Golf: Young powerhouse eyes world No1 spot” plus 2 more

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