Solid first round for Ko

Lydia Ko showed her fighting spirit today when the women’s golf tournament got under way.

The 19-year-old New Zealander, who is the world No 1, had a poor start to her round with successive bogeys on the third and fourth holes.

But she fought back well, firing three birdies and a brilliant eagle on the 15^th to end the day with a 2-under par 69.

That leaves Ko in a tie for 11^th and still in the running.

The tournament is led by Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn, the hot player on the world tour at present, and former world No 1 Inbee Park of South Korea, who both shot 65s.

Ko seemed fairly chilled about how her day had gone and seemed pleased former All Black captain had come along to follow her round.

“It's pretty cool that he came to watch,” she said. “At the first tee, when you are being officially announced as an Olympian and knowing there are millions watching worldwide was a pretty cool feeling.”

She said she didn’t start too well.

“I pretty much scrambled for the first few holes. But I'm happy I finished up two under par. It's a solid start for the first round of the Olympics.”

Ko said she tried hard to enjoy herself.

“This moment is never going to come back again. Just to know I'm an Olympian and finished my first round as an Olympian it's great.”

She was excited about her eagle.

“It's a really good feeling to do that at the Olympics. I was even par then, so to go to two under was a great turnaround.”