Before most girls her age have even begun resisting their wake-up call for school, North Shore schoolgirl Lydia Ko is well into her daily training regime of stretching, skipping or running.
And the 12-year-old golfing prodigy's drive has paid off.
She is the youngest person to be selected to represent
New Zealand in women's golf and will next month play in Hamilton in the Queen Sirikit Cup Asia-Pacific teams tournament, competing against some players more than twice her age.
Lydia, who says her selection for the tournament is the highlight of her short career, will play in the team with another young talent she usually competes against, Cecilia Cho, 15, as well as Zoe Brake, 18.
Lydia, a Year 9 student, leaves Albany's Pinehurst School about 3.15pm each day and practises her golf until about 8.30pm. She then heads home to do homework, going to bed about 10.30pm, before doing it all over again when she wakes at 6.30am.
Her 12th birthday last April was no exception, nor was Christmas Day.
Lydia, who plays to a +2.1 handicap, said that with a back-wind she could hit the ball about 220m - a distance many men would struggle to reach.
She started playing golf when she was 6, after her aunt gave her a set of golf clubs.
She says golf is fun and thrives on learning, practising and seeing her game improve.
"It's a challenge," she said. "In other sports you just have one ball or one stick, but with golf you have to have 14 different clubs, so they're all different and you have to control them all."
She admits she sometimes feels envious of friends who have time to enjoy going to the movies or other interests. She enjoys one day of rest after each tournament.
Lydia and her family moved to New Zealand from Korea six years ago.
She admires Swedish golfer Annika Sorenstam and respects Michelle Wie because she "takes risks by playing against men". At age 10, Wie became the youngest player to qualify for the USGA amateur championship.
New Zealand Golf high performance manager Simon Poll said when it came to talented players, Lydia's work ethic, commitment and dedication put her "right at the top of the batch".
"She's right up there."
Mr Poll said Lydia finished 7th at the New Zealand Open, a few strokes behind winner Laura Davies, 46, who is considered one of the most accomplished women golfers.
Lydia Ko enjoys the challenge of golf, and is being praised as a player who is 'right at the top of the batch'. Photo / Richard Robinson
Before most girls her age have even begun resisting their wake-up call for school, North Shore schoolgirl Lydia Ko is well into her daily training regime of stretching, skipping or running.
And the 12-year-old golfing prodigy's drive has paid off.
She is the youngest person to be selected to represent
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