LYDIA KO GETS $230,000 BOOST fFROM NEW ZEALAND SPORTS BODY

New Zealand-based teenager Lydia Ko, ranked the world No 1 female amateur for the best part of two years, received an early Christmas present from High Performance Sport New Zealand -- $230,000 worth of funding for the next two years - a cash injection that makes it easier for her to participate in prestigious tournaments in the United States and Europe.
"She will play in all the Majors this year," said coach Guy Wilson, who was delighted the 15-year-old Ko would play in the Kraft Nabisco and LPGA Championship for the first time.
The Evian in France has also been added for the LPGA's Majors for the first time this year while she will also tee-off in the KIA Classic in Los Angeles - before the Kraft Nabisco - and also venture to Hawaii and Japan.
Wilson said Ko was relishing the opportunity to take on the sport's biggest names on a more regular basis before she turns professional after continuing her education at a college in the United States.
He was confident she was capable of handling the pressure but did acknowledge it was crucial she protected her status as the world No.1 amateur.
"It's all important for her to continue to be the world No.1 amateur and have really good finishes so when she does turn pro she is as marketable as she is now," Wilson said.
"The good thing is she's playing in a lot more events with real profile, which should help her as well."
The Australian Women's Amateur Champ8ionship, which starts on Tuesday, might not fit that description but it will enable her to get back into the swing of competitive golf.