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• Lydia Ko aiming to become youngest ever major winner
• The 17-year-old can also break a record set by Annika Sorenstam
• Lexi Thompson talks of great memories after winning last year

ANA INSPIRATION | LYDIA KO | LEXI THOMPSON

Teen sensation Lydia Ko will be aiming to equal Annika Sorenstam’s record of 29 consecutive rounds under par when the ANA Inspiration gets underway tomorrow.

The 17-year-old New Zealander reached sub-par round No.28 at last week’s Kia Classic – where she finished third – and will be hoping to continue that form tomorrow at Mission Hills Country Club, California, in what is the first women’s major of the season.

It will be the third time Lydia Ko has appeared at the ANA Inspiration, finishing T29 in last year’s tournament and T25 in 2013. The Kiwi already has six career wins on the LPGA Tour and will be bidding to become the youngest ever winner of a women’s major.

“This area brings back so many great memories from last year” – Lexi Thompson

American Lexi Thompson won her first major at the age of 19 at last year’s tournament, seeing off Michelle Wie and Stacy Lewis to win by three shots on 14-under par.

Speaking ahead of her title defence at the ANA Inspiration, Thompson said: “This area brings back so many great memories from last year and it’s been an incredible year since then. It’s been very busy with all the media attention, but it’s been amazing. The tournament changed my life.

ANA Inspiration - Preview Day 2

“It’s given me so much confidence. Just even coming back to the tournament I remember the shots I hit every day, and it brings back so many great memories. But going into every tournament, I go in with extra confidence now knowing I’ve won this one.”

Last year’s runner-up Wie, who finished T29 at last week’s Kia Classic, said: “I think that every week is definitely getting better and it’s about just getting back to feeling comfortable. That’s really what I’ve been working on. I felt like I played a lot better than what my score showed, especially last week.”

Catriona Matthew is the only Scot in the field at the ANA Inspiration, a tournament she has been very consistent in over the past three years, finishing T11 in 2014, T7 in 2013 and T15 in 2012.

The ANA Inspiration :: Your thoughts

Can Lydia Ko become the youngest ever women’s major champion at the ANA Inspiration this week? Leave your thoughts in the ‘Comments’ section below.

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