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That event, which Auckland won in a playoff at The Grange, came down to the 18th hole where Lydia Ko missed a two foot putt to seal the title with a win over her good mate and main rival Cecilia Cho.
The two, who are now World No.1 and World No.2 respectively, will square off in the feature match as North Harbour looks to become the first team to defend the title since Bay of Plenty in 2006 – 2007.
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(Photo credit: Troy Baker (Beacon Photography))
Harbour progressed to their third straight final after overcoming Waikato 4 – 1 while Auckland were too good for local hopes Bay of Plenty winning by the same margin.
Ko buried some of the ghosts from her shock loss in 2009 when she won the final match against Emily Perry last year at Miramar but said Harbour would like nothing more than to get one back over their big city neighbours.
“It was really sad that day,” said the 14-year-old. “Our manager had the champagne ready to spray over us when we won but we ended up losing in the playoff so it wasn’t too good.
“I think we have done really well to make the final as defending champions this year. There was a lot of pressure on us but we have played well and now we have the chance to win two in a row. We would love to beat Auckland.”
Ko, who beat Perry 3 and 2 this morning, is excited about the chance to take on Cho with the Interprovincial title up for grabs.
“It is a rematch of the 2009 final, a rematch of the New Zealand Amateur Final and we know each other’s games so well. I feel like we are playing well as a team with good rhythm and confidence so it’s a good opportunity.”
Cho, who is planning on turning professional in March, looks to make the most of her last chance to win a Toro Interprovincial title.
“We have played well all week and we remain unbeaten,” said the 17-year-old who dismissed Bay of Plenty No.1 Zoe Brake 6 and 5.
“Both the teams are very strong and there is nothing really separating us and them so it will be who handles the pressure best. I really wanted to play Lydia in the final so I am happy that I have the chance. We are good friends and it’s hard playing each other because we both want to win really badly.”
Auckland, who are the most successful team in the Toro Interprovincial history with 19 wins, are looking to win their first title since 2009. That win two years ago surprised Cho as she thought she had lost.
“I was shocked when Lydia three putted the last and we halved, It was a really big moment and it was nice to see Jesse [Hamilton] go on and win in a playoff. There was a lot of people there and a lot of pressure. It will be the same today.
“Our depth is one of our strong parts of this team and we believe that we have five players who are good enough to win.”
The Toro Women’s Interprovincial Final begins at 12:30pm.
For more information, contact:
Peter Thornton
New Zealand Golf Media and PR Manager
021 482 788
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