Twelve-year-old Bohyun Park has won one of the final places in the field, and no doubt countless comparisons to Lydia Ko, for the 2015 ISPS Handa New Zealand Women's Open.
With the last four spots in the field up for grabs in breezy conditions at the Clearwater Golf Club yesterday, Park, from the Gulf Harbour Country Club, came out on top with an impressive two-under par 70.
Ko, the world number one in the world, also made her first appearance at the New Zealand Open as a 12-year-old. Not only does Park play with a set of Ko's old golf clubs, but she is also coached by Guy Wilson.
"Guy wished me well this morning and told me just to try my best. Dad has told him that I qualified. I'm looking forward to playing in my first professional event," said Park.
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Whether she can start forging a similar record to Ko will be seen on Friday when the ISPS Handa New Zealand Women's Open gets under way.
Grace Senior, from the Wairakei Golf Club in Taupo, held the earlier clubhouse lead with a 71 before being passed by Park, whose round included five birdies and four bogeys.
Senior was later joined by 13-year-old Juliana Hung (Russley) who finished with a 74.
