A stirring third quarter earned Australia a comeback win over New Zealand to claim the Constellation Cup in October. The Diamonds trailed by six goals early at a packed Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, and the Silver Ferns maintained strong all-court intensity to hold a five-goal lead at the main break. Australia came back to win 57-53.
“I probably showed a bit more emotion today than I did when we won gold at the Commonwealth Games,” coach Stacey Marinkovich said. “I live and breathe what this team goes through and our loudest voice is what we do on the court.”
The match was played as Netball Australia took stock of Hancock Prospecting’s decision to withdraw a game-changing $15 million sponsorship deal. It came after Indigenous player Donnell Wallam’s concerns over the company’s record on Indigenous matters, dating back 40 years to offensive comments by owner Gina Rinehart’s late father Lang Hancock. The team backed Wallam’s concerns.
Ko on the go at BMW Championship
Lydia Ko won her 18th career LPGA Tour title recently after shooting a seven-under 65 in the final round at the BMW Ladies Championship in South Korea. The Kiwi star lifted the trophy after finishing four shots clear of the United States’ Andrea Lee at Oak Valley Country Club. Ko recorded eight birdies against one bogey and secured US$300,000. It was her first victory in South Korea, where she was born and lived before moving to New Zealand at age four.
Ko, the world No. 5, became the fifth LPGA player this season to earn multiple victories. Her first title was back in January at Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio. This is her first multiple-win campaign since 2016.
“If only it was easy,” Ko said. “You know, it was a pretty packed leaderboard. I knew that I needed to have my A-game. I set a goal of five under, and if someone plays better than me and I don’t end up winning, that’s all I can do. It’s great to be back in the winner’s circle. I think it means a lot to win in Korea, the place where I was born, and I think makes it very special.”
