Lydia Ko rallies to shoot record-tying 29th consecutive under-par round

The streak lives.

By the smallest of margins, Lydia Ko shot her 29th consecutive under-par round on Thursday at the ANA Inspiration, tying Annika Sorenstam’s 2004 stretch for the longest in LPGA Tour history. The 1-under 71 — Ko’s fifth 1-under round during the streak — left Ko four shots behind Day 1 leader Morgan Pressel.

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Early on, it seemed Ko tying the record was academic. Starting on the 10th hole, Ko got off to a hot start with two birdies in the first three holes, jumping her into an early share of the lead. However, Ko struggled from there, making three bogeys and a birdie in the next four holes. On the par-5 18th, Ko’s approach shot to the island green hit off a tree over the green, leaving the world No. 1 fortunate to escape with a bogey and turn in 1-over 37.

Needing 2-under 34 on the final nine holes, Ko kept a much cleaner card in the second half of the round. The Kiwi teen made two birdies and seven pars, but they didn’t come easy.

On the par-4 seventh, Ko’s 16th hole, her tee shot landed behind some trees and left her with a small window to advance the ball. Ko managed to hit a low hook toward the green and salvage par. A hole later, Ko hit a tee shot to tap-in range on the par 3 to make the birdie she needed to get under par and keep the streak going.

Ko goes for the outright record on Friday.

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

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