If you’ve been thinking that Lydia Ko’s career was going to be a flash in the pan, it may be time to reevaluate your position.
The teenage Ko has the potential, and time, to compile one of, if not the best, LPGA record of all time. While Whitworth, Wright, and Sorenstam’s totals are still far in the distance, Ko’s fast start is definitely something to take note of. She made every cut in 26 events entered in 2014. She won three times in 2014, adding to her two previous LPGA wins as an amateur (she has since won the 2015 Australian Open). Last year, she became the youngest woman in history to pass both $1 and $2 million in earnings.
Who’s the next Tiger? It just might be a 17-year-old girl from New Zealand.
Let’s hit the links.
Hole #1: 297 Is the Magic Number
For the second week in a row, #297 in the OWGR took the win on the PGA TOUR. This week it was 43-year-old Padraig Harrington getting his first win since 2008 (yes, 2008). But it wasn’t easy. If one were to describe the final round of he Honda Classic in one word, that word would be “splash.” Ian Poulter dunked five on his own (including a crowd-pleasing shank), and only finished a stroke back. Harrington almost threw it away when he splashed his tee shot on the par three 17th, but he made birdie on 18 to get into a playoff with 21-year-old Daniel Berger, who shot an early 64 in the final round to post the score to beat. In the playoff, it was Berger’s turn to rinse one on 17 during the second playoff hole, while Paddy hit his to three feet. [Link]
Hole #2: Go Ko
Lydia Ko won the New Zealand Women’s Open on Sunday. It was the 10th worldwide victory as a professional for the #1 ranked player. Oh, and she’s just 17. (Meanwhile, Amy Yang won the Honda LPGA Thailand when Stacy Lewis shot +1 for the weekend.) [Link]
Hole #3: Sullivan’s Second
Andy Sullivan claimed his second European Tour victory in as many months on South African soil at the Joburg Open. The Englishman’s closing 66 was good enough for a two-stroke victory. [Link]
Hole #4: The Pond Would Be Good for You
PGA TOUR caddies at the Honda Classic were sent to a metal shed during the torrential rains and (more importantly) lightning of Saturday. They were not happy. [Link]
Hole #5: Rookie Blunder Results in DQ
When you’re looking for a break, make sure you know the rules. That mistake cost Mark Hubbard a chance to make the cut and cash a paycheck at the Honda Classic on Thursday. The last minute alternate was disqualified after his round for failing to officially register. [Link]
Hole #6: Harding Park Will Be One and Done
The WGC Match Play will be contested at Harding Park GC in San Francisco this year, and then it’s reportedly off to Austin, Texas. [Link]
Hole #7: Honda Scoreboard All Wet
Conditions at the Honda Classic were a little rough on Saturday. Thanks to the wind, the floating scoreboard at the 18th green wound up a little more in the lake than organizers had planned. [Link]
Hole #8: Northeast Courses Await Thaw, Patrons
The Northeast U.S. is still buried under feet of snow in many areas, but golf courses are awaiting the inevitable thaw and hoping for a continued resurgence of play. [Link]
Hole #9: Gators, Snakes Make Course Prep Interesting
Alligators and snakes were out on the PGA National course Saturday night, making repairs to the storm ravaged course interesting to say the least. [Link]