Lydia Ko shoots 12-under 60 in opening round at Whirlwind Golf Club, nearly matching Annika Sorenstam’s legendary 59.
Lydia Ko delivered one of the finest rounds in LPGA Tour history on Thursday, firing a career-low 12-under 60 in the opening round of the Ford Championship Presented by Wild Horse Pass at Whirlwind Golf Club in Phoenix, Arizona.
The New Zealand golfer’s spectacular performance came just shy of making history. Ko nearly became only the second player ever to shoot a 59 on the LPGA Tour, a feat accomplished only by Annika Sorenstam in 2001. Instead, Ko’s 60 ranks as merely the eighth round of that score in LPGA Tour history—still an exceptional achievement that underscores her dominance on Thursday.
A Blistering Start Sets the Tone
Ko’s round was built on an explosive beginning. She opened with four consecutive birdies to establish early momentum, a foundation that proved instrumental in her remarkable scoring display. She would ultimately record 12 birdies for the day, a staggering tally that reflects near-flawless execution across the Whirlwind layout.
The 27-year-old finished the opening round with a one-shot lead over South Korea’s Hyo Joo Kim, who carded a 7-under 61. That one-stroke margin provided Ko with a promising position heading into Friday’s second round, though the demanding nature of professional golf means no cushion is ever comfortable.
Equipment Changes and Tournament Positioning
Part of Ko’s strong performance may be attributed to equipment adjustments. She made the switch to a new Scotty Cameron 12 putter heading into this event, a change that potentially contributed to her exceptional short-game execution during Thursday’s round. Such adjustments, while seemingly minor, can have meaningful impacts on a player’s confidence and performance over 18 holes.
The Ford Championship represents a significant opportunity in the LPGA Tour schedule, and Ko’s opening salvo positions her squarely in contention as the tournament progresses through its remaining three rounds. With nearly a full tournament remaining, maintaining such blistering form will present its own challenges, but Ko’s career-low score suggests she has found an effective rhythm heading into the weekend.
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