12-year-old makes final four at Clearwater

Media release

February 23, 2015

12-year-old makes final four at Clearwater for 2015 ISPS Handa New Zealand Women’s Open

Twelve-year-old Bohyun Park, from the Gulf Harbour Country Club, has won one of the final places in the field for the 2015 ISPS Handa New Zealand Women’s Open.

With the last four spots in the field up for grabs in breezy conditions at the Clearwater Golf Club this afternoon, Park came out on top with an impressive two under par 70.

Grace Senior, from the Wairakei Golf Club in Taupo, held the earlier clubhouse lead with a 71 before being passed by Park, whose round included five birdies and four bogeys.

Senior was later joined by 13-year-old Juliana Hung (Russley) who finished with a 74. Amelia Garvey (Kaiapoi) then posted a 75 and had a nervy wait, watching Momoka Kobori (Rangiora) make bogey on the final hole to join her on 75, meaning a playoff would ensue for the final spot.

In the playoff, which started on the 18th hole, Garvey had a good look at birdie only to see it slide by, however Kobori bogeyed the hole for the second time in 10 minutes to ensure Garvey would qualifying for the ISPS Handa NZ Women’s Open for the second year in a row.

At such a young age, Park will no doubt draw similarities to Lydia Ko who first played in the NZ Women’s Open, also as a 12-year-old. Not only does she play with a set of Lydia Ko’s old golf clubs, but is also coached by Guy Wilson.

“Guy wished me well this morning and told me just to try my best. Dad has told him that I qualified. I’m looking forward to playing in my first professional event,” said Park.

Whether she can start forging a similar record to the world No.1 Ko will be seen on Friday when the ISPS Handa New Zealand Women’s Open gets under way.

Leading scores in today’s qualifying:

70 Bohyun Vyan Park (Gulf Harbour Country Club)

71 Grace Senior (Wairakei International Golf Course)

74 Juliana Hung (Russley)

75 Momoka Kobori (Rangiora), Amelia Garvey (Kaiapoi)

*Amelia Garvey won the final spot on the 1st playoff hole

77 Hillary O'Connor (Russley), Brittney Dryland (Titirangi)

80 Nicole Hamilton-Cross (Ashburton)

81 Krystal Hu (Gulf Harbour Country Club)

82 Ela Grimwood (Gulf Harbour Country Club), Catherine Bell (Christchurch)

85 Jocelynn Katu (Aviation Country Club of NZ)

88 Jasmine Rou (Templeton)

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