Ko Bolstered By Big Crowds and More from New Zealand

KO BOLSTERED BY BIG CROWDS

Tournament Host Lydia Ko was buoyed by outstanding crowd support for her early morning tee time on the opening round at Windross Farm today.

The world number eight managed a 2-under par 70 today, with three birdies on her opening nine holes starting from the 10th, mixed with two bogeys and a birdie coming home.

Overall Ko was stunned and thrilled with the size of the gallery at the first ever LPGA on New Zealand soil. 

“It makes you proud to play in your national open and being an LPGA event these world’s best golfers are getting this experience in our backyard, and to see all the crowds then these are the positives for these players. This was really good start.”

BIRDIES FOR BCRF

Jodi Ewart Shadoff, alongside Omni United whom the 29-year-old is a brand ambassador for its Radar Tires brand, will be donating $100 each to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) through the “Birdies for BCRF” program for every birdie that she makes in her tournaments during the month of October (officially recognized as the Breast Cancer Awareness Month).

Additionally, the opportunity to pledge a specific dollar amount for every birdie that Jodi makes during the month of October is open to other companies and individuals, donation categories are available at different levels ($100, $50, $25, $10) for each birdie achieved throughout all or some of the tournaments. Click here to make a pledge/one time donation.

The program is being run through BCRF’s partner organization, Play for P.I.N.K., a grassroots organization dedicated to raising funds for breast cancer research through sporting and lifestyle events, donating 100% of all proceeds to its sole beneficiary, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). BCRF’s Play for P.I.N.K. initiative has raised nearly $50 million to date and currently encompasses 300 tournaments across 30 states, with over 30,000 golfers, guaranteeing that “Birdies for BCRF” will get broad and targeted exposure. 

“It is an honor for me to be associated with Omni United and Radar Tires in supporting and advancing the mission of BCRF. In addition to wearing pink during the month, I am hoping to go above my average of 20 birdies per tournament and make as many birdies as I can during October, to raise lots of funds for the BCRF. I hope others will engage in this challenge and join us as well,” said Shadoff.

Ewart Shadoff had 7 birdies in her opening round at the MCKAYSON New Zealand Women’s Open, translating to a $1400 donation made from the English player and Radar Tires to support breast cancer research.

MOZO IN SYNC WITH NEW ZEALAND 

Spain’s Belen Mozo fired her best round in three years with a six-under par 66 to be in third place among the morning scores of the first round at Windross Farm.

The 28-year-old made four birdies in her first nine holes and two more without blemish coming home to complete a stunning start.

“To be honest, I played one of the most perfect golf days,” Mozo said. “I don’t remember a bad shot at all. True, I made lots of putts. The ones that I didn’t make I left them short, which is very annoying for a golfer, super annoying. These greens are slower than my preference, so I just have to get used to it a little bit more and keep grinding.”

QUICK HITS

• Brooke Henderson holds at least a share of the lead after the first round for the second time in her LPGA career and second time this season - she captured her fourth career LPGA victory after taking the first round lead at the 2017 Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give.
• Henderson’s 7-under 65 ties the second lowest round of her career - she has twice shot 63.
• Jodi Ewart Shadoff has gone 140 starts on the LPGA without a win - she has 14 career top-10 finishes and has twice been the runner-up, including at this year’s Ricoh Women’s British Open.
• Helped by two finishes inside the top-4 this season, Ewart Shadoff has climbed to No. 30 in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings and is the second highest ranked English player behind Charley Hull.
• Amy Boulden’s best career LPGA finish in 11 starts was a T9 result at the 2015 Ricoh Women’s British Open. 
• Belen Mozo’s last finish inside the top-10 (four in her LPGA career) was a fifth place result at the 2016 LPGA Volvik Championship.

QUOTABLE 

“I love the food and I just love the nature. I love the sheep – it might sound silly, but to me it’s just amazing. People might say, ‘Oh, the course is like in the middle of nowhere.’ It’s better, it’s much better.” - Belen Mozo on her favorite parts about coming to New Zealand