DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., March 5, 2015 – Seventeen-year-old Lydia Ko’s sixth career LPGA victory at the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open has been named the 2015 season’s first Kia Most Compelling Performance.
The New Zealander got off to a rocky Sunday start, making a bogey at the first and a three-putt par on the par-5 second hole at the historic Royal Melbourne Composite Course. But Ko then showed why she’s the No. 1 player in the world, holing out a wedge from the fairway for a dramatic eagle on the par-4 third hole for her third eagle of the week to kick start her march to victory. She went on to win by two shots at 9-under-par 283 in only her second start as the world No. 1 after rounds of 70-70-72-71.
TWEET IT! .@LKo424 wins February #LPGAKiaAwards w/ her 6th LPGA Tour title win & all before her 18th bday
In her last seven LPGA starts, Ko has now won twice and posted five additional top-10 finishes dating back to last year. In 2015, Ko has posted an under-par round every time she’s teed it up. Ko currently leads the Tour in scoring average (69.75), greens in regulation (83 percent) and top-10s (3). With her victory in Australia, Ko became the youngest player in history -- male or female -- to achieve 10 professional wins. Jiyai Shin had previously held that distinction at 19-years-old.
The 2015 Kia Most Compelling Performance Award winner will be announced at the season-ending 2015 CME Group Tour Championship following an online fan vote (fan voting begins October 1, 2015).
Performances may include a single tournament, multiple tournaments, single-round accomplishments or record-breaking performances. Winners of all the 2015 Kia Performance Awards will receive an all-new 2016 Kia Sorento, Kia’s best-selling CUV.
The 2015 Kia Performance Awards are:
The New Zealander got off to a rocky Sunday start, making a bogey at the first and a three-putt par on the par-5 second hole at the historic Royal Melbourne Composite Course. But Ko then showed why she’s the No. 1 player in the world, holing out a wedge from the fairway for a dramatic eagle on the par-4 third hole for her third eagle of the week to kick start her march to victory. She went on to win by two shots at 9-under-par 283 in only her second start as the world No. 1 after rounds of 70-70-72-71.
TWEET IT! .@LKo424 wins February #LPGAKiaAwards w/ her 6th LPGA Tour title win & all before her 18th bday
In her last seven LPGA starts, Ko has now won twice and posted five additional top-10 finishes dating back to last year. In 2015, Ko has posted an under-par round every time she’s teed it up. Ko currently leads the Tour in scoring average (69.75), greens in regulation (83 percent) and top-10s (3). With her victory in Australia, Ko became the youngest player in history -- male or female -- to achieve 10 professional wins. Jiyai Shin had previously held that distinction at 19-years-old.
The 2015 Kia Most Compelling Performance Award winner will be announced at the season-ending 2015 CME Group Tour Championship following an online fan vote (fan voting begins October 1, 2015).
Performances may include a single tournament, multiple tournaments, single-round accomplishments or record-breaking performances. Winners of all the 2015 Kia Performance Awards will receive an all-new 2016 Kia Sorento, Kia’s best-selling CUV.
The 2015 Kia Performance Awards are:
- Kia Power Drive - Won in 2014 by Brittany Lincicome; awarded to the player with the longest driving distance
- Kia Drive to the Top - Won in 2014 by Stacy Lewis; awarded to the player with the most top-10 finishes
- Kia Most Compelling Performance - Won in 2014 by Paula Creamer; recognizing a player with an exceptional performance throughout the year; this award will be awarded monthly then the year-end winner will be chosen by fans through an online vote
- Kia Community Assist - Won in 2014 by Morgan Pressel; recognizing a player who makes exceptional contributions to charity organizations or community programs
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