Teen Star Lydia Ko Has Record-Breaking Round At Australian Open

Teen star Lydia Ko added another accomplishment to her young golfing career, breaking a record at the Australian Opn by shooting a 10-under-63.

The 15-year-old already has a reputation for incredible performances on the links, and the New Zealand athlete may have topped it all with her blistering opening round. It was the lowest round of her career, putting her on course for her fourth professional title.

“I feel I’m getting old,” said 24-year-old Yani Tseng Taiwan, a two-time Australian Open champion and the No. 1 ranked golfer in the world, of teen star Lydia Ko. “She just looks like a child, she still looks like 15 but, the way she’s playing golf, she looks like a pro.”

Ko had an impressive performance from start to finish of the first round, Stuff.co.nz noted:

“Ko, who became the youngest ever winner of an LPGA Tour event when claiming the Canadian Open last year, needed just 30 strokes to complete the back nine as she dominated her high profile playing partners with a round that represented a two shot improvement on her previous best.”

A normal 15-year-old would probably be overcome with nerves on such a large stage, but not teen star Lydia Ko. She said she got over her anxiety pretty quickly.

“I was in a really good group to start off with,” Ko told The Associated Press. “I was pretty nervous when I saw the draw that I was playing with two of the big names, but I mean the weather was beautiful, I think we all enjoyed our time out there.”

Ko is actually still in high school, but she noted that she hasn’t had much time in the classroom this year. After the Australian Open, she’s off to the Thailand Open and then the New Zealand LPGA Championship.

“After that, I will start opening books,” said teen star Lydia Ko.