Lydia Ko
Lydia Ko will play three rounds at next week's New
Zealand PGA, and is looming as the golfer to watch at the
event.
The tournament may have attracted the likes of Hale Irwin,
George Gregan and Sir Ian Botham, but Ko appears to be the
player to see.
Ko (15) played in the event last year and her celebrity
status ensures she will line up on Friday, Saturday and
Sunday.
PGA tournament director Michael Glading knows very well Ko
will be a huge drawcard for spectators all three days she is
involved in the tournament.
''She adds a huge amount to this tournament. Between her and
Hale Irwin we have two major golf attractions. She is one of
the biggest names in world golf right now,'' Glading said.
''It's been said a hundred times already over the last week,
but she is unique. She is a unique player and words kind of
fail.''
Ko is the world's top-ranked amateur and holder of the US
amateur championship.
Last year, she became the youngest player to win an LPGA
event as well as the first amateur to win one for 43 years.
She was only 12 when she made her debut at the New Zealand
Open and finished in seventh place.
There has been some confusion over whether Ko is playing at
the The Hills as just a celebrity, or as an amateur who will
have to qualify on Friday to play in the weekend.
But Glading confirmed Ko is playing as a celebrity and will
play all three days.
Glading said Ko would be placed in the final group with the
top-ranked professionals.
''In reality she will play near the final group.''
Following the seeding round, each amateur will be placed with
one of the professionals to play as a two-ball, best-ball
team over the weekend.
How Ko performs in the professional men's game will be one of
the star attractions of the tournament, as it was last year
when she was paired with New Zealanders Mark Brown and
Michael Hendry and Hollywood actor Don Cheadle on the last
day of play.
Glading said the NZPGA tournament for Ko was somewhat of a
relaxed event and one she had looked forward to since last
year.
''She's genuinely looking forward to coming to this
tournament. She loves Queenstown.
''She'll enjoy this week. That's our goal for her.''
She will return straight from the LPGA tournament in
Thailand, which starts tomorrow, and then head to Queenstown
next Wednesday for a practice round at The Hills in the
morning.
Tournament organisers have not reeled in anyone of Cheadle's
status this time around, but Glading said the calibre of
sporting celebrities such as Ko would be exciting for those
walking alongside the fairways.
''We got what we got. We didn't get Hollywood, but have a
really strong sport line-up.''
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