Ko Headlines Field In New Zealand
Former world No. 1 Lydia Ko headlines the field this week in her home country of New Zealand. There, the current world No. 8 looks to return to the winner’s circle for the first time in more than a year. Hometown support helped throw Ko over the finish line in years past with victories in three of the last four editions of the New Zealand Women’s Open and, with a top-3 finish in her last two starts, it could be the extra boost she needs to breakthrough for her first win of the year.
Also in the field is Brittany Lincicome, who won the season opening Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic where she defeated Lexi Thompson in a playoff. The world No. 47 has just one other top-10 in 2017. Katherine Kirk, who won the Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic in July for her first win in seven years, is also in the field this week. She’ll look to carry the momentum she found two weeks ago in France where she finished tied for third at the Evian Championship.
Kang’s Caddie Is Cool
2017 KPMG Women’s PGA Champion Danielle Kang, has her own secret weapon on the bag this week. Veteran caddie Steve Williams, the former caddie for Tiger Woods and Adam Scott, will loop for Kang this week in his come country of New Zealand. The world No. 22 has enjoyed working with Williams, who she described as a “cool guy” and “walking yardage book.”
Henderson World Tour Rolls On
This week, Brooke Henderson continues her whirlwind season. The world No. 12 has completed 85 rounds so far in 2017, one less than current frontrunner Moriya Jutanugarn. But without Jutanugarn in the field, Henderson will pass her for the most rounds played in 2017. Henderson also led the Tour in rounds played in 2016 with 121, 12 rounds more than her closest competitor. Henderson picked up her lone victory of 2017 in June at the Meijer LPGA Classic for her fourth career win on Tour.
Amateurs Welcome
The beauty of any open championship is the ability for amateurs to tee it up alongside the world’s best players. This week in Auckland, 13 amateurs will compete, including U.S. Women’s Amateur Champion and two-time U.S. Girls Junior Champion Eun Jeong Seong. Also in the field is Pacific Northwest Women’s Amateur champion Julianne Alvarez, who chipped in on the 38th hole to win in July. Alvarez was also a member of the victorious Washington Huskies NCAA Championship team in 2016. Her teammate Wenyung Keh is also in the field.
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