Confident Ko defends LPGA Marathon Classic crown

Teenaged golf sensation Lydia Ko, looking for a few more laughs on the course, knows just how to boost the fun quotient in her title defence at the LPGA Marathon Classic this week.

"Birdies will make me smile," said the 18-year-old Kiwi, who is coming off a tie for 12th in the US Women's Open won by South Korean Chun In-Gee on Sunday.

Ko admitted after that performance that she was feeling a little homesick, and looking forward to spending some time with friends in New Zealand.

First, however, she'll attend to the business of trying for her second successful title defence of the season -- after winning the Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic for the second straight year in April.

"I've always had so much fun playing here," said Ko, who found it "really cool" to see a street near the Highland Meadows Golf Club named in her honor.

"I had my best finish at the US Open last week, so I guess in that way I'm coming in with a little bit of confidence."

Ko said recent rain had the course playing softer than it did last year, which could have her using her driver more.

"The greens are running pretty fast. They're pure. So I'm sure the person that makes a lot of putts will probably be the winner at the end of the week."

Last year Ko headed to the 18th hole tied with Ryu So-Yeon in the group behind her. She birdied the last and watched Ryu miss her own birdie putt.

"To come back to a course where you've played good always gives you a little bit of a relief and a little bit of confidence," she said.

Ko has won twice this year, but endured a lull in May and early June that saw her fall from number one in the world.

- Park looks to putting -
That spot was regained by South Korean Park In-Bee, who can't be toppled from the summit this week.

"Never gets old," Park said of holding the number one ranking. "Feels great to be up here. Obviously I am playing a good game."

Park, who finished equal third in the US Women's Open, said this tournament is a key part of her preparations for the Women's British Open July 30-August 2 -- a tournament she has unabashedly targeted this year.

"I'm just really trying to really get ready for that event this year," she said. "I still have two weeks. So far I feel pretty good about my game.

"Just got to work on my putting a little bit," added Park -- whose struggles on the greens proved costly at the US Open.

"I just really had a bad putting week last week," she said. "Left so many putts short, just lipping out.

"Everything else in my game I feel pretty good about, right now," she said. "It just depends on how many putts I'm going to make. Hopefully it's going to be a good week."
Source: AFP