Golf: Ko to lead Astor Trophy bid

Lydia Ko. Photo / Getty Images

The world's best amateur Lydia Ko will lead the New Zealand women's golf team to contest the Astor Trophy in England next month.

Ko, who became the world's No.1 after capturing the strokeplay and matchplay titles at the NZ amateur championships last month, will be joined in the five-strong team by world No. 3 Cecilia Cho, Emily Perry, Chantelle Cassidy and Julianne Alvarez for the trip.

Before the team contest the Astor Trophy at Fairhaven Golf Club at Lytham St Annes fron June 15-19 they will line up as individuals in the British Amateur Championship at the Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland from June 7-11.

The Astor Trophy, which was formerly the Commonwealth Tournament, is contested by Great Britain & Ireland, Australia, Canada and South Africa every four years and the format features two foursomes and five singles matches each day and while New Zealand have finished runners-up four time they have never won the title.

Great Britain and Ireland are the defending champions and New Zealand on the back of the continued success of Ko and Cho are optimistic of their chances of lifting the trophy for a first time.

"Lydia and Cecilia are seasoned international competitors now so they will lead the way and it's up to their team-mates to follow,"said New Zealand Golf chief executive Dean Murphy.

Team: Julianne Alvarez (Manor Park), Chantelle Cassidy (Tokoroa), Cecilia Cho (Pakuranga), Lydia Ko (North Shore), Emily Perry (Lochiel).

- NZPA