Ko donates winnings to a New Zealand charity

Lydia Ko

It was typical Lydia Ko.
It was typical that Ko won the New Zealand Women’s Open at Clearwater in Christchurch last month. It was her third win in the event in the last four years.
But it was also typical that she could see the lighter side of a 5.7 magnitude earthquake that rocked Christchurch on the final day of the tournament.
“I was going to blame the earthquakes for my putts not dropping,” Ko quipped to the news media after winning by two shots.
Ko was on the practice putting green when the earthquake struck about 10 minutes before she was to tee off.
“I had my headphones on so I didn’t know if I was getting in the rhythm of the song or if it was my caddy — Jason thought that it was his beer from yesterday kicking in.”
Ko could easily have bypassed the New Zealand Open for much richer events but said the win remained important to her.
“To defend a tournament is one thing, but to play well at your national open in front of this many people, that’s what makes it that extra bit more special,” Ko said.
First prize was worth 30,000 euros which is about $NZ47,000. Ko said she would donate all of it to a New Zealand charity.
Ko did not burn up the course up on the final day. She scored a modest two-under par 70 but had the big crowd roaring when nearly holing her third shot for an eagle on the par five 10th hole.
She was almost apologetic for not putting on a greater show but said her world No 1 ranking did not necessarily translate into a walk in the park for her.
“The ranking puts a lot of pressure on, people who don’t know golf may think I should win every week. But I just did my best and seeing the crowd out there made me try even harder.”
The tears were flowing when she recalled former New Zealand Golf president Patsy Hankins who died last October.
“Thanks to New Zealand Golf. I especially miss Patsy,’’ Ko said before breaking into tears.
Hankins, a trailblazer for women’s golf administration in New Zealand, was a mother-like figure throughout Ko’s amateur career.