Golf: Young powerhouse eyes world No1 spot

Lydia Ko, 13, is confident of her abilities. Photo / Christine Cornege.

Lydia Ko turned heads in Australia when she finished second in the New South Wales Open.

At just 13, the North Harbour amateur is set for an amazing career, one she and coach Guy Wilson believe can take her to the top of world golf.

The teenager is no stranger to cleaning up against adult opponents and is quietly confident of getting close to the leaderboard in her next big assignment, the Australian Open, which starts in Melbourne on Thursday.

Ko was 5 when she arrived in New Zealand from Korea, the new powerhouse of women's golf. She is well on the way to becoming a household name.

A student at Pinehurst School, Albany, she calls New Zealand home while acknowledging the importance of her Korean roots.

Ko takes a few questions from the Herald.

What are your aims for the rest of the year?
I want be No1 on the New Zealand order of merit. I would like New Zealand Golf to send me to the British Amateur and have a better record this year than last year. The Australian Open is most important because it will be my first time there but the New Zealand Open is also very important to me.

Your goal in the Australian Open?
I'm aiming for a top 20 finish.

Your long-term aims?
I want to play on the American tour and be No1 in the world. If I try hard, I think I can do that. When I practice, I listen to music on my MP3 player and get into the rhythm. What sort of music?Korean pop songs.

Favourite band?
It varies.

Golfing heroes, and why?
Phil Mickelson and Michelle Wie. Phil Mickelson is left handed I really like how he gets set, I like his short game and he is also so powerful. As a right-hander it looks hard to play left handed. Michelle Wie is so confident at her age, playing in men's tournaments as well.

What do you love most about golf?
Winning. If not winning, maybe just the success you can have in the future.

Dislikes?
I don't really have a dislike but probably when I can't play as well as I'd like to.

Are your adult opponents extra friendly because of your age or are you just another competitor?
Everybody is welcoming. Just because I'm younger people are still competitive, which is good, but people are very nice to me.

Your best round?
I don't have one round but I played very well last year from November to December. That was the best I've ever played.
I won the Grange Open, then I was the player of the tournament at the interprovincial championships and also won the Srixon Invitational (at Gulf Harbour).

Favourite club?
There shouldn't be a favourite club. I should love them all. You need to be confident with all the clubs. I need to work most on my putting. Do you find it hard to handle the growing attention?At first I found it very hard but I think I'm getting better at using words. I'm less nervous with speeches. Do you have time for hobbies?Not really. I like to go out to my friends. We just meet up. They all know that I play golf and they are such good friends who are very supportive and text me, even though I don't have a lot of time to see them.

Is it true that your parents moved the family to New Zealand for the sake of your golf?
Yes. They thought I could make a living from golf.

You have a Korean home life in a Kiwi world?
People ask me "Are you Korean or Kiwi?". I know more about New Zealand than I remember about Korea. That doesn't mean I want to leave Korea behind ... [but] I will always represent New Zealand when I am playing around the world.

That's good news ... what are the hurdles you will face as a professional?
Pressure, better players, more spectators.
Asian, and particularly Korean, players are dominating women's golf. What do you put that down to?Koreans try to work hard, they try to train for their goals and they don't let up ... If you see a Korean who doesn't make it in golf it's not because they didn't work hard, it will be because it wasn't the correct sport for them even if they enjoy the game. I'm not sure why Koreans work so hard.

Your parents are very supportive.
Yes. Guy [coach Guy Wilson] and everyone at the Institute of Golf are as well - what they do for me is so great, which makes me want to play better. The people from New Zealand Golf help whenever they can.

You must be excited about the future - is becoming the world No1 really possible?
I think I can do it but if I don't then definitely top five.