(16 February 2012 – Christchurch New Zealand)
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Australian Kristie Smith will be trying to hold off the 14-year old child prodigy when she looks to defend her ISPS Handa New Zealand Women’s Open title this week at the Pegasus Golf Club just outside Christchurch.
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rnSmith came from five shots back twelve months ago to capture her first Ladies European Tour title on the same course.
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rnThe 23-year old enjoys the trip across the Tasman, “I’ve always got positive memories coming here, I’ve always played well in New Zealand.”
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rn“I’m looking forward to defending you don’t get to do that very often, so I am pretty excited.” she said before teeing off in the afternoon Pro-am.
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rnAsked about pressure of being the defending champion, she responded “I don’t think there is much pressure on me to be honest, I haven’t been in that great of form.”
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rn“I’ve got low expectations and it is nice to have spotlight on Lydia and the other girls this week, we have a great field this week, so it is going to be an exciting tournament, I think”.
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rnSmith, whose 2011 season was interrupted with a number of injuries, will be playing full time this year on the SYMETRA Tour, which is the developmental tour for the LPGA. If she can finish in the top 10 she on the Money List, Smith will gain her card on the LPGA tour in 2013.
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rnKo, well and truly has the spotlight on her this week. She is playing in her first tournament on home soil since her triumphant trip to Australia which saw her win the Australian Amateur title, the Bing Lee / Samsung Women’s NSW Open and finish leading amateur at the Australian Ladies Masters and Women’s Australian Open.
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rnThe 14-year old was surprised to read the other day she was bookies favourite, but that doesn’t faze the New Zealander who takes everything in her stride and doesn’t really understand what the fuss is all about.
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rn“When I looked at the article I was like ‘Woah [laughs], why me? I guess people are getting more interest in me and that is good. Hopefully I can come close [laughs]. My first goal is to make the cut. I came fourth last year and that was a pretty good placing. I am hoping for a top 10.”
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rn“I don’t feel that I am 14 unless someone tells me and I don’t feel like I am World No,1 unless someone says ‘Oh My God you are World No.1’ [laughs] I don’t really think about it. It is unconscious thinking.”
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rnOther Australian players to watch out for this week include Sarah Kemp, Lindsey Wright and Karen Lunn who have all been in good form recently.
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rnWales’ Becky Brewerton is the highest ranked European player in the field, Brewerton along with Swede Pernilla Lindberg and American Beth Allen and LPGA players Laura Diaz and Lorie Kane are some of the international likely to be in contention come Sunday.
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