LYDIA KO'S COACH SAYS EVIAN COURSE CHANGES WILL SUIT HER

LYDIA KO, 16-year-old world female amateur No 1 and schoolgirl who plays in all the lady pro majors

 FROM STUFF.CO.NZ WEBSITE
Changes to the Evian Resort golf course in France  could benefit in-form Lydia Ko in this month's final major championship of the year.
Added as a fifth major on the women's golf circuit from 2013, the well-established former Evian Masters circuiit has been revamped with every hole on the host course overhauled - toughened to major championship standards.
Because Ko has never played the course before, she, unlike the rest of the field, will not have to adapt from the previous set-up, says her coach Guy Wilson.
And, Wilson also suspects the lengthening of the holes, narrowing of fairways and additional hazards could also play in favour of the 16-year-old New Zealander - who could yet obliterate American Morgan Pressel's record as the youngest women's major winner at 18 years and 10 months.
"The course has been changed a lot in order for it to meet major standards," Wilson told the Sunday Star-Times. "It makes it more of a level playing field for Lydia. It doesn't change anything for her because she's never played it before, but it won't play the same for other players.
"I dare say it would suit Lydia more. It's going to play quite long and very much target golf, which means it's about player control."
With the tournament beginning in 11 days, Ko has remained in North America following last weekend's successful defence of the Canadian Open title for a week off in Vancouver. 
From there she will head to Evian-les-Bains in France to prepare - working with Wilson remotely via video links.
"I think it will be a bonus for her in some respects staying out of New Zealand after the win. It's unrealistic to fulfil all media requests after a win like that, particularly so close to going into a major championship. At the end of the day she's got a job to do," Wilson said.
- © Fairfax NZ News