Golf: Lydia Ko pulls off incredible shot from the water in solid start to HSBC Women's World Championship

No golf shoes, no problem for Lydia Ko as she nails a shot from the water. Photo / Twitter/LPGA Tour

Even the water couldn't cool a red-hot Lydia Ko at her latest tournament in Singapore.

Ko pulled off an incredible par save during her first round of the HSBC Women's World Championship today, going on to record a three-under 69 to sit in a share of fifth.

The Kiwi got into some trouble on the fifth hole but, to avoid having to take a drop, took off her golf shoes and waded knee-deep into the water to hit a perfect shot into the fairway on the par-five fifth.

The shot set up Ko for an easy par, after narrowly missing out on birdie. It was widely shared on social media, with the LPGA Tour saying Ko was simply "too good".

No need to take a drop when you're Lydia Ko 😳

From standing in the water to saving par. She's too good 🔥 pic.twitter.com/XhBodr9YVT

— LPGA (@LPGA) March 3, 2022

The save helped Ko make the turn at three under at the Sentosa Golf Club, making four birdies and one bogey in her first nine holes.

The 24-year-old looked on course to finish the first round near the top of the leaderboard, following a bogey on 12 with three birdies in four holes, but a double bogey on the par-four 18th undid some of the good work.

Ko trails leader Patty Tavatanakit of Thailand by two shots after one round, sitting in a 14-player group at three under.

The world No 3 is looking for back-to-back tournament wins after claiming the Gainbridge LPGA trophy in January.

Lydia Ko in action during the first round of the HSBC Women's World Championship in Singapore. Photo / Getty

Going into the tournament, Ko said she had been playing with a lot more confidence this year.

"Obviously I've been putting myself in contention a lot and I think when you start doing that more often, you just get a little bit more confidence and you know week-in, week-out, the technique and skill things doesn't change that much. But when you get in a good rhythm of things, I think sometimes some putts that might have lipped-out, lips-in.

"Things start falling your way and I've kind of been able to feed off that kind of momentum, just trying to keep it super simple and just being confident and having fun out there.

"I think at the end of the day I play my best when I'm enjoying my time out there and being a little bit more relaxed. Keeping that kind of mindset and just focusing on the one shot in front of me and trying to play the best golf I can."