Golf: Ko confident of retaining title

Lydia Ko of North Shore tees off. Photo / Getty Images

World No 1 Lydia Ko led North Harbour to a memorable women's interprovincial victory at the Miramar Golf Club last year in a performance that was ultimate redemption.

Now she is confident her team will go back-to-back as the best 75 women's golfers in the country head to the Whakatane Golf Club from December 6-10 to battle for the honour of being labelled the best women's province.

"We will win again," the 14-year-old Ko confidently predicted. "We have basically all the players from last year. We're confident to defend the title this year."

The win in 2010 was especially sweet for Ko as she overcame her demons from a year before at The Grange. As an 12-year-old, she missed a two-foot putt on the 18th to seal the win over Auckland who prevailed in a playoff. But in 2010 a more mature and focused Ko was in a class of her own as she led her team superbly to defeat Waikato in the final. A memorable long-range birdie on the par 3 16th proved the difference as she defeated New Zealand teammate Emily Perry in the deciding match.

"It meant so much for me as it was a close loss the year before. I was proud of our team and my own game."

Ko has had a year of highlights when she finished tied fourth at the New Zealand Women's Open, climbed to No 1 in the women's amateur rankings and won the medal in qualifying for the US Amateur.

But donning the maroon, black and white uniform of North Harbour is always something special.

"It's very important, as North Harbour always supports the team and helps out in many ways," she said. "I love playing for them when I can fit it in my busy schedule. I was worried I wasn't going to be recovered from my operation in time, but looks like I will be ready... just in time to defend the title."

North Harbour will face stiff competition from Auckland, Waikato, Wellington and the home province Bay of Plenty. World No 2 Cecilia Cho, who is good friends with Ko, is looking forward to redemption of her own for Auckland.

Auckland are the most successful team in the history of the event with 19 wins. Their most recent victory came in 2009.

"I believe that our key point which led to winning the tournament in 2009 was awesome team harmony," the 16-year-old two-time winner of the New Zealand Amateur said.

"Because our team is quite a young team compared to other teams, it is easier and faster to build a positive relationship. The support we had from the local area was another key factor to our win.

"Auckland has a good record in the past years and I believe that our Auckland team has a great chance of performing well and do what we have done in 2009."

- APNZ