High-level support for Ko

Lydia Ko celebrates after her final putt of the last round of the Olympics. Photo: Reuters
Lydia Ko celebrates after her final putt of the last round of the Olympics. Photo: Reuters
Kiwi golfer Lydia Ko had some high-level support in her final Olympic round in the shape of champion rower Eric Murray.

Murray, a two-time Olympic gold medallist alongside Hamish Bond in the men's pair, turned up at the Marapendi course to support the world No 1 in her last round.

"To see him out here, to come and support me, I think that's been amazing," said Ko, who claimed the silver medal behind Korean winner Inbee Park.

Ko said one of her cherished Olympic memories would be seeing the New Zealand flag out on the course, and to hear the Kiwi support over the four days of competition.

"I feel like coming down the stretch that really helped me to push through," the 19-year-old said.

"I knew I wasn't only doing this for me, but for the other athletes that were here and for the whole of New Zealand.

"Hopefully I made them proud."

Hours later Ko met former All Black captain Richie McCaw at Kiwi House hours after claiming silver in the women's golf.

Ko has long been an admirer of McCaw - who has been spotted supporting several New Zealand athletes after heading to Rio to cheer on fiancee and Black Stick Gemma Flynn - and the golfer capped a memorable day by finally meeting the All Black great.

Ko said she relished the chance to be part of a team environment, meeting New Zealand athletes from a variety of sports.

"Because I don't live in New Zealand right now, and I don't go back home that often, there's not many times when I can cross paths with other New Zealand athletes," she said.

"That was one of the greatest things I was really excited about this week."

Add a Comment