New Zealand’s Lydia Ko tees it up this week as defending champion at the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl.

The 28-year-old claimed her third major title last year in St. Andrews by two strokes over Lilia Vu, Jiyai Shin, Nelly Korda and Ruoning Yin. The final day saw Ko fire a round of three-under par (69) to claim the title.

Reflecting on her win last year, she said: “It’s weird to hear that I’m a defending champion of this Championship. Obviously a lot of great memories at St Andrews last year. I can’t believe that it’s almost been a year since then. It’s exciting. It’s my first time to Wales too. I’m just trying to get used to it here and kind of learn the culture a little bit, but it’s been fun. Regardless of how my results go this week, I think it’s going to be great to be playing as defending champion.

“It was one of my most solid final rounds. It’s just really hard to compare the Women’s Open to any other championship because the elements we deal with are very different to maybe a U.S. Women’s Open or some of our domestic events. It’s hard to compare it because links golf is a particular type of golf – a 20-mile-an-hour wind here is obviously very different to a 20-mile-an-hour wind in Florida.”

It was a summer to remember for the current Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings No. 3, as she also won gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics, and earned her place in the LPGA Hall of Fame.

Heading into this week at Royal Porthcawl, Ko doesn’t think there’s any additional pressure coming in as defending champion. “At the end of the day, I don’t have to prove to anybody that I can win the AIG Women’s Open. In that sense, I think it lets me be free and just kind of focus on what this week will bring.”

The eight-time LET winner mentioned that the great and tough thing about this Championship is the players get to play on new golf courses. “I think St Andrews and Woburn, were the only two courses that I’ve played twice. When you come to these new courses, there’s not many people in the field that have played here before. So, it’s like a clean slate, and nobody really has an advantage. It’s just trying to get familiar with the golf course.”

She continued: “This is a very different type of links golf course that I’ve played compared to the past. It’s going to be a challenge. Regardless of if you’re the defending champion or you qualified in through the qualifier yesterday, I think it’s going to be a really tough week. But I would rather it be tough than be calm. As much as I love sunny weather, when I’m coming to play the Women’s Open, I expect it to be rainy, windy, and that’s what I’ve got to really enjoy about this Championship.”

Ko will tee it up in round one alongside England’s Lottie Woad and 2023 AIG Women’s Open Champion Lilia Vu.

Commenting on her group the reigning Olympic champion said: “It’s going to be fun. Lilia is obviously a past champion, a couple years ago, so playing with her is great. It will be my first time playing with Lottie, so I’m excited. She’s coming in with a ton of momentum, and I think there’s going to be a lot of people that’s going to come out and watch her. It’s a great group, and I think it’s going to be a great couple days.”

Defending Champion Ko Set For AIG Women’s Open Return

Related Articles