Lydia Ko wins earthquake rocked NZ Open, then donates prize money
We’re not sure there is a more likeable golfer on the planet than Lydia Ko.
The world number one Lydia Ko claimed her third NZ Open victory by two strokes at Clearwater Golf Club in Christchurch yesterday, but it came after an earthquake just before Ko arrived at the first tee.
The earthquake, measuring 5.9 on the Richter struck Christchurch just prior to Ko teeing off but the shock didn’t faze the affable 18-year-old, making par on the opening hole, finishing with a 2-under par round of 70, enough for a two-stroke win ahead of Felicity Johnson, Nanna Madsen and Hye Jin Choi.
While the earthquake didn’t do any damage to the golf course, it did shake up other parts of Christchurch including along the coast where a large part of the cliffs fell into the ocean – see video below.
Ko decided to donate her winnings to charity as Martin Blake reported at Golf Australia:
The teenager won $47,000 for finishing first but quickly offered it up to charity. “I have discussed this with my family and my team and this is something that we all want to do,” said the Kiwi. “We will seriously think about the best way that we can use this money to help New Zealand.”
Ko heads to Adelaide this week for the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open at Grange West. Get out and see her if you can.
