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Lydia Ko threatened 59, shot 61 at New Zealand Women's Open

Lydia Ko doesn't have her driver's license, so she can't drive 55. But she almost broke 60 on Saturday at the New Zealand Women's Open.

The 17-year-old world No. 1 shot a course-record, 11-under 61 at Clearwater Golf Club to grab the lead early on Day 2 of her national championship. The 61 tops the prior mark of 63, shot by last year's winner Mi Hyang Lee en route to the win.

Ko actually bogeyed her first hole of the day, then got started with an eagle at the par-5 second. In a 10-hole stretch from the fourth hole to the 13th, Ko made nine birdies. A birdie at the last locked up a two-day total of 13-under 131.

The New Zealand native is already a winner in 2015, taking last weekend's ISPS Handa Women's Australian Open on the LPGA Tour. She is playing in her national championship this week instead of at the LPGA's stop, the Honda LPGA Thailand. No matter the results of both events, Ko will remain No. 1 in the world.


Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.