Women’s Open: Lydia Ko paired with Lottie Woad for major title defence in Wales

Lydia Ko smiles during a practice round prior to the AIG Women's Open at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club in Bridgend, Wales. Photo / Getty Images

Lydia Ko gets a first look at Wales and a close-up view of LPGA’s newest champion Lottie Woad after being paired with the English star in her defence of the Women’s Open this week.

Ko admitted she didn’t know much about Wales other than, like New Zealand, they have a lot of sheep as the British nation hosts the event for the first time at Royal Porthcawl Golf Course.

Ko claimed her third major at St Andrews Old Course last year, weeks after winning Olympic gold, and returns to the tournament as defending champion.

“I don’t think there is more added pressure just because I am the defending champion. At the end of the day, if you win, it’s not something that someone can take away from me. So I don’t have to prove to anybody that I can win the AIG Women’s Open. In that sense, I think it lets me be free and just kind of focus on what this week will bring.

“I think the great thing and the tough thing about this Championship is that we play new golf courses. St Andrews and Woburn, I think, were the only two courses that I’ve played twice. When you come to these new courses, there’s not many people in the field that have played here before. So it’s like a clean slate, and nobody really has an advantage. It’s just trying to get familiar with the golf course.

“This is a very different type of links golf course that I’ve played compared to the past. It’s going to be a challenge. Regardless if you’re the defending champion or you qualified in through the qualifier yesterday, I think it’s going to be a really tough week.

“But I would rather it be tough than be calm. As much as I love sunny weather, when I’m coming to play the Women’s Open, I expect it to be rainy, windy, and that’s what I’ve gotten to really enjoy about this Championship.

“I hope it brings all those elements. Maybe not as crazy as what the Men’s Seniors had it, but to some extent I’m sure we’re going to see it all, and that’s what I kind of loved about it.

Ko tees off with England’s new golf sensation Woad, who won on her professional debut at the Scottish Open last week. They will be joined by 2023 Open winner Lilia Vu, starting their tournament at 11.54pm NZT tomorrow.

Woad, 21, was the leading amateur last year, joining Ko’s name on the Smyth Salver, after finishing six shots back from the Kiwi in 10th. Earlier this month she was third at the Evian Championship in her final major as an amateur.

Now Woad is eligible as a pro to claim the US$1.425 million ($2.39m) prize money for first place after missing out on a big payday in France.

“I just saw the tee times as we were walking up. It’s a triple L group – Lilia, Lottie, and myself,” Ko said.

“Yeah, it’s going to be fun. Lilia is obviously a past champion, a couple years ago, so playing with her is great. It will be my first time playing with Lottie, so I’m excited. She’s coming in with a ton of momentum, and I think there’s going to be a lot of people that’s going to come out and watch her.

“It’s going to be really cool for me to see and see the things that I could possibly learn from her and why she’s playing good. I don’t think the ranking you are doesn’t – just because you’re a higher-ranked player doesn’t mean that there’s something that I can’t learn from somebody else. She’s obviously playing great golf. I’ve seen her swing, and my coach has sent me a video of her swing as well because there’s aspects that I’m kind of going for that she has.”

Ko admitted she wasn’t up to scratch on her Welsh knowledge before arriving at Royal Porthcawl.

“The only thing that I knew outside of the flag was that there were words that had very little vowels, some words that just look like a bunch of consonants. I met someone yesterday that said the pronunciation is almost like French and Spanish. This might be one of the most difficult languages I’ve ever heard.

“I’ve heard there’s a lot of sheep here in Wales, and that’s what New Zealand is very known for. So it feels like somewhat home. But people have been very welcoming and nice. I know we’re in the south part of Wales, so there is less Welsh, I think, spoken in this area. So I haven’t been fully exposed to that Welsh culture, but I love it.

Fellow Kiwi Momoka Kobori makes her major championship debut in Wales and tees off at 9.48pm tomorrow while the third New Zealander in the field Amelia Garvey, 2.11am Friday, begins her tournament in the afternoon.