Lydia Ko didn’t win the Australian Ladies Masters but the teenage amateur was swamped by autograph hunters following her final-round 74 at Royal Pines on Sunday.
It’s something the 14 year-old budding golf superstar knows she has to get used to, along with being interviewed almost daily as her profile grows with every tournament she features in.
Her history-making victory in last week’s NSW Open at Oatlands, as the youngest ever player to win a professional tournament, made world headlines.
Despite not be able to repeat those heroics at the Gold Coast course, finishing tied for 32nd at six-under for the tournament, the fans still swarmed.
“Even the pros say hello to me which is really cool,” said Ko after signing golf balls and posing for pictures.
She could hardly say no to her growing army of fans when she admits she will be chasing autographs herself at next week’s Australian Women’s Open at Royal Melbourne.
“I think out of the top 10 LPGA Tour players there might be eight playing in Melbourne,” she said excitedly.
“It’s going to be amazing. I’m going to get some autographs.
“I’ve already got Ji Yai Shin and current world No.1 Yani Tseng’s autographs,” she giggled.
The Korean-born, New Zealand-raised Ko was disappointed with her closing 74 but displayed a lot of maturity in accepting she’s going to have some average days on the course.
“I played well until Saturday but today my putts weren’t going in,” she said
“But that’s golf, it doesn’t go your way every time.”
Australian professional Lindsey Wright who finished third to Ko in the NSW Open was not surprised the teen was the leading amateur in the Masters.
It’s the seventh time since 2010 she has taken the honour in a professional tournament.
“She is pretty amazing,” enthused Wright.
“She’s a phenomenal talent. Se hits the ball amazing, she putts amazing, she plays beyond her youth.
“It’s a bit strange being beaten by a 14 year-old.”
Ko, the world’s No.1-ranked amateur golfer, says she’s not sure what all the fuss is about.
“I don’t think about it in my ordinary life, unless someone tells me I am number one,” she smiled, signing a glove for a fan her own age.
