Lydia Ko (Getty Images)
It has taken Lydia Ko nine holes to find her touch in the first round of her 2016 LPGA campaign.
New Zealand world No.1 stormed home with four
birdies on her back nine to share eighth place on three-under 69 at the
Coates Golf Championship in Ocala, Florida, sitting four strokes off the
lead.
The 18-year-old Ko was outside the top-60 at the turn, having mixed a lone bogey on the third hole with a slew of pars.
Momentum swung on the 10th hole, which she birdied, along with the 12th, 14th and 18th holes.
Korea's Ha Na Jang broke clear of the field with a seven-under 65 while six golfers are on four-under.
Ko
sat out last week's season-opening tournament in the Bahamas,
determined to extend her off-season by another week and tweak elements
of her preparation.
However, she found herself mentally out of synch early on Thursday.
"I was definitely nervous, as you could see by my shot on the first hole," Ko said of a shonky drive.
She
said a carefee vibe with American playing partners Morgan Pressel and
Paula Creamer helped her relax as the round progressed.
Ko
ended 2015 on a high, finishing as the LPGA's player of the year,
points leader and top money earner, as well as cementing her world
ranking.
Her second assignment of the year will be her defence of the New Zealand Women's Open title in Christchurch next week.
NZN
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