ANZ Bank to Sponsor Golf Star Lydia Ko

ANZ Bank has announced it has become the first company to sponsor golf prodigy Lydia Ko, for sale as she embarks on her rookie season on the LPGA Tour in 2014.

The three-year sponsorship was announced in Auckland.

“Lydia Ko is one of New Zealand’s best and brightest young sportspeople and we’re absolutely thrilled to support her as she takes on the world, clinic ” ANZ Chief Executive Officer David Hisco said.

“As a brand that’s in every corner of the New Zealand, impotent and with a global reach across Asia and beyond, it’s great to help someone as talented as Lydia as she competes in the LPGA Tour.”

The 16-year-old former Pinehurst School student is now ranked No. 4 in the world after securing the Swinging Skirts World Ladies’ Masters by three strokes in Taiwan on December 8 of this year.

Ko turned professional in October 2013 and hired IMG for representation needs.

“It’s great to have the backing of ANZ at this crucial point in my career as I take on the international pro circuit and the best female golfers in the world,” said Ko.

“ANZ understands that to achieve excellence and success in the toughest golf competition, I’m going to need a great team behind me.”

The sponsorship sees Ko join a group of elite Kiwi athletes supported by ANZ. These include Olympic rowers Eric Murray, Hamish Bond and Emma Twigg, along with former Olympians Sarah Ulmer and Hamish Carter, and Paralympic swimmers Rebecca Dubber and Cameron Leslie.

“Elite level sport requires strength, perseverance and support. ANZ is incredibly proud to get behind our athletes as they seek to be the best in the world. They are an inspiration to us all,” Mr Hisco said.