Golf: Lydia Ko smashes course record

Lydia Ko pulled a couple of drives when she was aiming left to counter the wind and ended up in trouble but came home strongly at the NZ Open. Photo / Getty Images

A stunning eagle ignited Lydia Ko remarkable course record 61 today at Clearwater as the world No 1 opened up a decent lead on the field.

After a sloppy opening bogey, Ko eagled the next hole and added another 10 birdies as she blitzed the previous course record by two and opened up a three shot lead on the field.

Playing partner Charley Hull put together an impressive 8 under par 64 but lost ground to the world No 1 as the teenage stars delivered high quality golf for the large galleries.

Ko scorched to the turn in six under 30 and after birdieing the next four holes wondered if it might be her day to break the magical 60 stroke barrier. Her scorching run then stalled with four pars before a final birdie on the last.

She was uncertain about her five under target for the day after a restless night and some uncertain work on the practice range.

"But I doubled it plus one," she giggled. "61, I am pretty pleased with."

After her opening hole stumble, Ko found her putting range and had just 26 putts as she broke the previous course low set by Mi Hyang Lee in last year's final round when she beat Ko by a single shot.

Ko's putting stroke filled with confidence as she converted a range of putts including a swinging left to right 30 footer on the 4th hole which began her initial run of four successive birdies.

She had only two pars on the opening nine which she closed with another birdie on the par 3 ninth. Playing partner, England's Charlie Hull, refused to wilt and she finished with an impressive 8-under par round.

The wind was gentle but temperatures were climbing quickly towards the predicted late 20's as the crowd swelled with news of Ko's fireworks.