Lydia Ko says it would be 'pretty cool' to win her maiden British Open at a course which holds a special place in New Zealand golfing history.
Lydia Ko. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Sir Bob Charles became the first New Zealander to claim a major when he successfully won a 36-hole playoff to lift the Claret Jug 55 years ago at the Royal Lytham and St. Annes course.
The women's championship makes its fifth appearance at the iconic venue and Ko will be aiming to engrave her name on the trophy for the first time and claim her third major.
The 21-year-old is determined to turn her form around after missing the cut at the Scottish Open last week which was her first taste of links golf in some time.
However, that gave the 15-time LPGA Tour winner, the chance to research this week's course and prepare well for a big week that she has been targeting.
Although she is still only young, Ko has long-term goals that certainly include winning this championship.
Lydia Ko at the 2017 British Open. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
"I would love to be part of a few players that have done a grand slam at the end of my career, I really enjoy links golf, its golf you normally don't get to play and it's challenging, so hopefully I will have a good week," said Ko.
She is also aware of the history and what Sir Bob Charles achieved back in 1963.
"I know that Sir Bob Charles has won here, so there is a lot of cool history here for New Zealand."
Ko also won the silver medal, for best amateur, in back-to-back years at this event in 2012/13 showing she has some fond memories here, but it's clear she is now hunting nothing but gold.
Ko, the only New Zealander to win two major titles, says emulating Sir Bob would be a career highlight.
"As soon as you get out of the men's locker room you see Sir Bob's picture so it's nice to come to a place where probably the best golfer from New Zealand and one of the best players in the world has history."
Bob Charles with the Claret Jug for winning the 1963 British Open. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
"To come back to where he's won is pretty cool and so for me to maybe play well and join him will be awesome."
World number one Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand and defending champion In-Kyung Kim of South Korea lead the field of 144 players who hope to master the elements and capture the prestigious title.
Kim would join Yani Tseng as the only players to win consecutive Women's British Open titles since the event joined the major ranks in 2001, while Jutanugarn, the 2018 U.S. Women's Open champion, could come the first player to win the U.S. and British major titles in the same season.
Nineteen of the top 20 players in the Women's World Golf Rankings have made their way to Lancashire to compete this week on a course that dates to 1897.
