Lydia recieving her Lowest Amatuer Trophy

She may be an amateur and only 12-years-old, but New Zealand’s Lydia Ko representing igolf produced an amazing four rounds of golf that had seasoned veterans shaking their heads in disbelief at her total of 284 and a tie for seventh at the Pegasus New Zealand Women’s Open at Pegasus Town near Christchurch.

With conditions fluctuating from calm to almost gale forced nor-easterlies over the four days, Ko had three sub par rounds in her 71, 73, 71, 69 total. Had it not been for a cold putter on day two she would undoubtedly had all four rounds in red

Lydia's Round of 71, 73, 71, 69

figures. The most remarkable was her third round 71, where she was one of only 16 players to break par in a day of carnage.

Ko was five shots behind winner Laura Davies, of England.

Ko’s playing partner today, Iben Tinning, described the almost teenager as ‘being unbelievable already” while Cecilie Lundgreen, a veteran of 11 years on the circuit, said that “it was incredible how a 12-year-old seemed to be totally unfazed by everything that was going on around her.”

For the quietly spoken Ko, believed to be the youngest player ever to make the cut on a Ladies European Tour event, handling the bigger crowds and spectator interest was a major plus.

“Playing with more people and more spectators, I think I played pretty well today,” she said.

After getting up and down out of the green side bunker on the second, Ko had three birdies over the next four holes to go out in 33. Her only blemish was on the par three 11th where her tee shot was too strong.

After an indifferent putting performance over the first two days, Ko regained her confidence, both with the line and pace of her putts.

Lydia teeing off in practice round at Pegasus

“My coach recorded the message for me “I love putting” which made me confident for today.”

Ko had three goals, one to make the cut which meant she could get her ears pierced, two to beat her international team mate and friend Cecilia Cho and third to better Cho’s equal 14th finish in last year’s New Zealand Open. All achieved.

It was not such a good day for the other two New Zealanders. Sarah Nicholson finished in a tie for 36th with rounds of 71 70 74 75 and Cho tied for 47th with rounds of 73 71 76 73.

1.00pm:  KO ON THE MARCH AT PEGASUS NZ OPEN

Emerging amateur golf star, 12-year-old Lydia Ko, has moved up into third place after three birdies in her first six holes on the final day of the Pegasus New Zealand Women’s Open at Pegasus Town near Christchurch.

Starting in a tie for 11th,  North Harbour’s Ko is now only a shot behind second placed England’s Laura Davies, but still four from overnight leader Australia’s Sarah Kemp, who has had an early birdie to be eight under through 57 holes.

Conditions are perfect which is reflected in some of the low scoring in today’s final round.

Final scores Click Here