Lydia Ko makes history with Australian Women's Amateur win

January 22, 2012 | by

Lydia Ko

Lydia Ko of New Zealand takes the title with a 4 & 3 win over Aussie Breanna Elliott

MELBOURNE, Australia (Jan. 22, 2011) -- World No 1 Lydia Ko has won the Australian amateur title and is believed to be one of the youngest winners in the 118 year history of the event. The North Shore golfer, who has made a habit of rewriting history in her short but illustrious amateur career, defeated Victorian Breanna Elliott 4 and 3 at the Woodlands Golf Club in Melbourne today. Ko becomes one the youngest winner of the trophy that dates back to 1894 and she follows in the footsteps of Kiwi golfers Guy Williams (1920), Oliver Kay (1933, 1936) and Jan Higgins (1989) who have won the title. Golf Australia records do not have an indication of the ages of the champions of the early years of the Australian women's amateur but believed Ko was among the youngest winners of the event. "I am really proud of myself," said the 14-year-old. "I won the Australian stroke play title last year and finished second in qualifying, but this is so much better. There has been a lot of pressure all week and I have been really happy with how I have played, and to come through to the end and win is amazing.

Results: Australian Womens Amateur

Place	Player	Location	Pts
Win	Lydia Ko	, New Zealand	1000
Runner-up	Breanna Elliott	, Australia	700
Semifinals	Whitney Hillier	, Australia	500
Semifinals	Minjee Lee	, Australia	500
Quarterfinals	Grace Lennon	, New Zealand	400

View full results for Australian Womens Amateur

About the Australian Womens Amateur

Lydia Ko makes history with Australian Women's Amateur win

The Australian Men's and Women's Amateur Championships are Australia's oldest Amateur Golf Championships, with both having been played since 1894. Long held as a match play event, in 2021 the format changed to 72 holes of stroke play.