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Ko impressed with first look at Royal Liverpool for Women's British Open

By PA Sport
Published on
Ko impressed with first look at Royal Liverpool for Women's British Open

HOYLAKE, England -- Fifteen-year-old golf sensation Lydia Ko describes Hoylake as "one of the hardest golf courses I've ever played" after practicing for this week's Ricoh British Women's Open.

The Korean-born New Zealander has been top of the amateur world rankings since April last year, but really hit the headlines three weeks ago by becoming the youngest-ever winner on the LPGA Tour at the CN Canadian Women’s Open.

"The U.S. Amateur was a big win and to follow that up with the Canadian Open was amazing," Ko said on Tuesday, as she discussed her first trip around the Royal Liverpool links on which Tiger Woods won the 2006 British Open.

"On the first hole I went in the right rough, second shot in the right rough and then third shot in the right rough again," she revealed.

"So it's tough -- and I consider myself quite consistent, quite straight off the tee," she added. "I'll just be playing my best and hopefully I'll be able to make the cut again and go from there."

This is only the second major of her career. The first was the U.S. Women's Open in July and she came in 39th. Ko admits, however, that she has never felt nerves like she did there.

"First hole I was lining up my putt and my hands were shaking so bad I couldn't put the line straight," she said. "But for a few tournaments I've been the youngest competitor and I've coped.

"I don't really think about my age or what I've done really. I'm just one of the 156 players that are here."

American star Stacy Lewis played with Ko in Canada and came away impressed.

"That was one of the coolest days I've ever had on the golf course -- it looked like she had been there before and she knew what she was doing.

"I tried to keep her talking at the end and just keep her relaxed," she added. "You would never know that she was 15 years old. I was beyond impressed."

And on the youngster's chances this week, Lewis added: "She's won already, so I would definitely say she's good enough to win.

"The hard thing about the British Open is the weather and unpredictability. I think it's something that takes some experience in playing, but she's proved everybody wrong so far."