Ko’s 60 Nears LPGA Record

Lydia Ko Fires Personal Best 60 to Lead LPGA Tour Ford Championship

New Zealand’s Lydia Ko has stormed to the top of the leaderboard at the LPGA Tour’s Ford Championship, carding a sensational personal-best round of 12-under-par 60. The 29-year-old golfer delivered a masterclass in precision and putting, recording an incredible 12 birdies without a single dropped shot in the opening round at the TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course in Phoenix, Arizona.

The impressive performance saw Ko finish the first day with a one-stroke lead over her nearest competitors. This new personal best eclipses her previous record of 62, set at the 2021 Chevron Championship. Ko now sits as the eighth player in LPGA Tour history to achieve a score of 60, inching closer to the all-time 18-hole record of 59, famously set by Annika Sörenstam in March 2001.

Ko’s round was characterized by near-flawless execution. She missed the green on only one occasion, boasting an impressive 94.4% greens in regulation accuracy. Her putting was equally formidable, requiring just 25 putts throughout her round, a testament to her exceptional touch on the greens.

A Near Miss of History, But a Welcome Result

Ko began her round on the 10th hole and was in scintillating form from the outset, making four consecutive birdies to start her charge. The possibility of a historic 59 loomed large as she approached the closing stages of her round. On the par-5 7th hole, a crucial birdie putt from just under two meters brought her within touching distance of the coveted sub-60 score.

However, Ko remained remarkably composed, even when the record score was within reach. “I’m not disappointed about not shooting 59,” Ko stated after her round. “I’m really happy to finish with 60.” She elaborated on her mindset, saying, “I thought, ‘If it happens, it’s a bonus, but it’s fine if it doesn’t.’”

Reflecting on the pressure of a low-scoring round, Ko admitted, “Like every golfer, when things are going well, you sometimes think, ‘What if everything falls apart?’” She credited her ability to stay focused and execute her shots: “I stayed patient and rolled the putts really well.”

A New Putter, A Winning Combination

A notable aspect of Ko’s exceptional performance was the debut of a new putter. While she is known for her loyalty to her equipment, Ko opted to put a new Scottie Cameron 12 model into play for this tournament. The immediate positive results suggest it was a wise decision.

“I’ve been using the same old model for a very long time, and the new one felt different,” Ko explained. She acknowledged the potential for a “honeymoon effect” but was undeniably pleased with the outcome. “It might be the honeymoon effect, but the ball rolled well anyway. I welcome days like this.”

Ko is now in a strong position to claim her first victory in approximately a year, with her last win coming at the HSBC Women’s World Championship in March of the previous year.

Kim Hyo-joo Joins the Pursuit with Strong Opening

The chase pack is led by defending champion Kim Hyo-joo, who also commenced the tournament in impressive fashion. The Fortinet Founders Cup winner demonstrated her championship pedigree by carding an eagle and 11 birdies, resulting in an 11-under-par 61. Kim made a remarkable surge in the final three holes, lowering her score by four strokes.

This 11-under-par performance matches Kim’s personal best score, which she achieved at the 2014 Evian Championship. “I’m glad I could start with a low score by continuing the flow from last week,” Kim commented. She added, “I tried to play similarly to last year, but the course conditions were quite different, so I just focused on doing my best. My short game worked exceptionally well today.”

Observing the competitive landscape, Kim noted, “After checking the leaderboard, I saw many players had low scores.” She emphasized the importance of sustained focus throughout the event: “Staying focused in all aspects until the final day will be crucial.”

The Ford Championship is shaping up to be a thrilling contest, with Ko setting a blistering pace and Kim Hyo-joo and other top contenders poised to challenge for the title.