Golf: Bohyun Park, the 'next' Lydia Ko, dreams of normal life

Lydia Ko (left) discusses golf with Year 8 student Bohyun Park at Clearwater near Christchurch. Picture / Martin Hunter

Sport leaves scarce room for much else, but Park spurred by hope of being No1 like Ko

Young golfing talent Bohyun Park says she misses being a child, but is driven by the dream of becoming the next Lydia Ko.

The 12-year-old Wentworth College Year 8 student said in an exclusive interview with the Herald yesterday that she dreams of being just a normal girl and having a boyfriend.

This week, she earned one of four final spots for the 2015 ISPS Handa New Zealand Women's Open which begins tomorrow.

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"When I was training for this tournament, I didn't even go to school, I just trained.

"I miss being like my other friends, I like to listen to music but my dad says I can't use earphones because it is not good for my ears, and I have to get up to train early at 6 every morning."

The Korean-born amateur golfer, who grew up in Saudi Arabia and moved to New Zealand with her dad in 2011, said she considered Ms Ko her idol and role model.

Bohyun has two of Ko's old golf sets and lots of her old clothing and golf outfits, which Ko gave her.

Both belong to the Gulf Harbour Country Club and have shared the same coach, Guy Wilson.

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Bohyun said she felt honoured to be compared to Ko who also made her first appearance at the same tournament when she was 12.

"When I see Lydia golfing at Gulf Harbour, I will follow exactly how she does her strokes," she said. "My dream is to become like her and be a world No1, too, that'll be so cool."

Bohyun began golf four years ago, after having a try at ice skating.

After training in the morning she goes to school but finishes earlier than her friends for more golf training at the Gulf Harbour country club.

She has recently been allowed to take Sunday afternoons off after frequent complaints to dad.

Bohyun's father, Ja Ha Park, 66, said they moved to New Zealand specifically to develop Bohyun's golfing skills.

"When I was told by a friend that New Zealand can produce world-class golfers, we immediately packed our bags in Saudi Arabia and moved here," Mr Park said. "It is my dream also that she will one day become No1 in the world."

Mr Park, a former builder, said he no longer works and provides "full-time support" to Bohyun and her golf.

Ko yesterday described Bohyun as a "superstar" for golf.

Bohyun and Ko will be teeing off at the tournament tomorrow.