Golf: 13-year-old flying NZ flag at worlds

Lydia Ko, pictured, Cecilia Cho and Caroline Bon make up the NZ team. Photo / Richard Robinson

New Zealand's Lydia Ko is the second youngest player among a record field of 53 countries for the world amateur teams golf championship starting in Argentina on Thursday (NZT).

The New Zealand team of 13-year-old Ko, Cecilia Cho and Caroline Bon will share tee space with Venezuela and the Czech Republic in the opening round.

Ko is the second youngest player in the field behind fellow Marijosse Navarro, of Mexico, who turned 13 last month.

Guatemala's Beatriz de Arenas is the oldest player at 62.

The record number of countries exceeds the previous best of 48 in Adelaide two years ago, with first-timers including Guam, Nigeria, Slovenia and Tanzania.

The New Zealander will begin the opening round in the middle of the day at the Olivos Golf Club, with the two lowest scores to count for each of four rounds.

Sweden are attempting to become the first team to win back-to-back Espirito Santo Trophies since the United States won in 1988 and 1990.

The Swedes are the only nation to finish in the top 10 in all 23 previous championships.

Their sole returning player from the victory in 2008 is Caroline Hedwall, the 2010 NCAA division one individual champion playing for Oklahoma State University, who posted the lowest individual score at the 2008 edition of the championship.

New Zealand have finished in the top 10 on 12 occasions, with a best placing of second behind the United States in 1982 and again at Christchurch in 1990.

- NZPA