Lydia Ko hits a tee shot on day one of the Australian Open at Royal Canberra Golf Club. Picture: Stefan Postles
NEW Zealand teen amateur Lydia Ko showed why Karrie Webb said she's ready to turn professional as she produced a blistering opening round of the Women's Australian Open golf championship in Canberra.
Ko shot a 10-under 63 to take the early lead in the first round of the LPGA Tour's season-opening Women's Australian Open.
The 15-year-old amateur won the New Zealand Women's Open on Sunday for her third victory in a professional tournament. Last year, Ko won the New South Wales Open to become the youngest player to win a pro tour event and the Canadian Open to become the youngest LPGA Tour winner. She also won the US Women's Amateur.
Ko opened with a bogey on the 10th hole, birdied the next four holes and eagled the par-five 15th. She bogeyed the 16th and birdied holes 17-18 to make the turn at six-under 30 at Royal Canberra.
Lydia Ko watches her shot off the 17th tee. Picture: Stefan Postles
She added birdies on holes two through four and then the sixth, dropped a stroke on the eighth and closed with her 11th birdie of the day.
Colombia's Mariajo Uribe was a stroke back with half the field still on the course.
Top-ranked Yani Tseng, the winner at Commonwealth in 2010 and 2011, had a 68. Michelle Wie shot a 74.
Lydia Ko of New Zealand receives a high five from Michelle Wie of the United States after scoring an eagle on the par five 15th hole during day one of the Australian Open at Royal Canberra Golf Club. Picture: Stefan Postles
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