Golfing prodigy Lydia Ko created history on Sunday by becoming the youngest winner of a professional tournament when she claimed the NSW Open by four strokes at the Oatlands club in Sydney.
Showing steely nerves which belied her age of 14, the Korean-born, New Zealand-raised phenomenon not only fended off strong finishes from tour veterans Becky Morgan and Lindsey Wright to shoot 14-under for the victory, but also outdid Japanese sensation Ryo Ishikawa.
Ishikawa won the Munsingwear Open KSB Cup in 2007 aged 15 years and eight months, while the previous best effort by a female was the Gold Coast’s Amy Yang, who won the Australian Ladies Masters aged 16 and 192 days.
The brilliant Ko easily bettered both marks on Sunday.
“It’s pretty amazing,” Ko, who turns 15 on April 24, told reporters after her famous victory.
“I don’t really know what to say … I’m really happy and to be part of history is like a miracle.
“It’s not something you can have by clicking your fingers.”
Last year, Ko was in a similar position, taking a one-stroke lead onto the final hole before a three-putt saw her lose by a single stroke to Caroline Hedwall.
This time, with proud mum Tina watching on, Ko walked to the 18th green with a four-stroke lead before calmly holing a one-foot putt for par and her place in the record books.
“It was really nerve wracking,” Ko added.
“I had a few deep breaths out there (on the 18th hole).
“I was nervous until the last second. (I was) thinking of last year and I looked back and there were so many people watching (in the crowd).”
Ko had to withstand an impressive display from 32-year-old Wright, who applied the blowtorch early by picking up five birdies on the front nine.
But rather than crack under pressure, Ko – who dropped just two shots all weekend – responded with birdies of her own on eight and 16.
Instead, it was Wright who faltered – posting back-to-back bogeys on 16 and 17 which allowed Morgan, who shot six-under to slip in and claim second place.
Wright hailed Ko as a future superstar of the sport, saying nothing could have stopped her this weekend.
“The only thing I could’ve done is get my putter out and smack her in the legs,” Wright joked.
“She just played wonderful golf and did not make a mistake. It’s amazing to see her and think she’s only 14.
“This is a historic moment for women’s golf. It was no different from playing with a seasoned pro on the LPGA. I put a lot of pressure on, and she did not fall apart at all.
“She’s going to be an exceptional player if she keeps doing what she’s doing.”
Wright, who finished in a tie for third with Kristie Smith, had reason to be content with her own performance after two miserable years on the circuit.
With Ko being an amateur, Morgan took home the major prizemoney of $18,750 from Wright when she snatched second place while Wright and Smith both take home $10,500.
