Australian Ladies Professional Golf and Golf NSW are thrilled to confirm that teenage phenomenon Lydia Ko will return to Oatlands Golf Club in Sydney from 25 to 27 January to defend her first professional title, the Bing Lee / Samsung Women’s NSW Open.

Ko said that despite recently settling back into normal life as a 15 year old student, after months competing in major events around the world, she “would love to play the New South Wales Open again, and is grateful for the invitation”

“I am very happy to come back and play at Oatlands again. I have such good memories.”

The Kiwi made international headlines when she defeated a strong field of local and international players to steal the 2012 Bing Lee / Samsung NSW Women’s Open as a 14-year-old earlier this year.

In doing so, New Zealand’s world number one ranked amateur became the youngest player, female or male, to win a professional tournament on any of the major golf tours around the world.

This victory would prove to be the catalyst of a phenomenal year for the superstar in the making. Ko was the leading amateur at the US Women’s Open in July and went on to win the prestigious US Women’s Amateur in August. She then dominated world golf headlines after a stunning win on the strongest women’s professional golf tour, the LPGA, at the CN Women’s Canadian Open two weeks later. She defeated a field which included 49 of the top 50 ranked players in the world.

The NSW Women’s Open has a history of delivering dramatic finishes and golf fans can expect no different when the event tees off over the Australia Day weekend. Another strong field is expected, particularly as the tournament tees off the ALPG Tour’s “Summer of Golf\".

2008 Champion, England’s Laura Davies, has confirmed she will play her sixth consecutive event and will join other leading players including Australia’s current hottest player, Stacey Keating, a recent two time winner on the Ladies European Tour. A strong representation of Australian and international professionals, along with the country’s leading amateurs, will showcase the current and future stars of the game.

Ko in particular is a phenomenal talent displaying amazing ability coupled with a care free youthful attitude which is refreshing and has endeared her to golf fans around the world.

When asked if returning as the defending champion change her attitude she responded “I don’t think so. I feel pressure in every tournament like other players, but try to think positive aspects or I sometimes forget that I am playing a professional tournament. All the tournaments are same to me.”