Golf: Aussie teen following Ko's footsteps

Australian teenager Su-Hyun Oh is chasing Lydia Ko through the professional ranks. Photo / Getty

Su-Hyun Oh succeeded Lydia Ko as the top amateur golfer in the world and the Australian teenager is now chasing her idol through the professional ranks.

She's made a terrific start as another of the gifted youngsters pushing towards the top of the women's game and is at Clearwater paired for today's opening round of the NZ Open with fellow teens Ko and Charley Hull.

It's the first time Oh and Ko have been drawn together in tournament play in what will be rich experience for Oh after distinguishing herself by winning the Australian Masters a fortnight ago in her second start as a professional.

"I've seen her (Ko) on TV but it will be good to see what she does so well and why she is the world No 1 and to see how I go and see where my game is at," Oh said.

"She is not intimidating as a girl and she is playing great golf. I want to see what she is like and sort of learn.

"Not just Lydia but anyone I play with, I try and see why they are really good but since Lydia's No 1, I'm sure she has the lot."

Tournament crowds are forecast to nudge towards 30,000 by Sunday's conclusion as Ko-mania sweeps Christchurch and yesterday one of her partners in the pro-am paid $35,000 for the privilege of playing in the same group.

This will be Oh's final tournament in Australasia this season and she hoped to handle the forecast winds.

"It is a real challenge but if I play well I feel I have accomplished a lot. I know how windy this place can get. I think two years ago there was wind and rain together so as long as we just get one of them I will be happy with that."

Hull is also on her second trip to Clearwater with top 10 finishes in her last two events in Australia when she was undergoing a number of swing changes.

"I'm still working on a lot of stuff and not too bothered about scoring at the moment, I'm just working on my swing," she said.

Her philosophy was to play the golf course and ignore the crowds or any peripheral issues.

"At the end of the day it's only a game, it's not like you're going to die if you hit a bad shot. I say it all the time but it is true."