Lydia Ko set for title defense in Marathon Classic
Jul 15, 2015, 3:18 PM
SYLVANIA, Ohio (AP) — Lydia Ko sounded like a teenager when asked about Main Street being temporarily renamed Lydia Ko Drive.
“It’s pretty cool,” the 18-year-old Ko said Wednesday, a day before she opens her title defense in the LPGA Tour’s Marathon Classic. “I’m actually staying on that road this week.”
Last year at Highland Meadows, Ko won the second of her three 2014 titles, closing with a 6-under 65 for a one-stroke victory over So Yeon Ryu.
“To come back to a course where you’ve played well at always gives you a little bit of a relief and a little bit of confidence,” said Ko, coming off a 12th-place tie last week in the U.S. Women’s Open at Lancaster in Pennsylvania.
The second-ranked Ko won the Women’s Australian Open in February and the Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic in California in April. The New Zealander has seven LPGA Tour victories, the first two as an amateur.
Third-ranked Stacy Lewis tied for third at Lancaster. She was born in nearby Toledo.
“My game is in a really good spot and I’m excited to be here,” Lewis said. “I have a lot of family out again. Get a lot of family time this week. It’s a fun week. While I’m a little bit tired coming off the U.S. Open, I feel good about where my game is at.”
Lewis was tied for the lead late in the U.S. Women’s Open before faltering.
“Wasn’t disgusted. Just a little bit disappointed,” Lewis said. “You’re out there to obviously win. You’re not there to finish second or third, so definitely a little bit disappointed. But if you would have asked me a month ago, ‘Would you take third place in the U.S. Open?’ I would’ve said yes.”
Top-ranked Inbee Park has a tour-high three victories this season. The South Korean player also tied for third at Lancaster.
“Obviously, I am playing good game,” Park said. “We just finished our third major of the year, and got little bit of confidence from there. This week and next week before British is going to be really good preparation for me, so I’m really looking forward to playing this week.”
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