A member at Gulf Harbour, Ko describes the par-4 as “a testing dogleg” and says it “has got to be my absolute favourite”.

Ko is currently in her home town of Auckland for the MCKAYSON New Zealand Women’s Open, which teed off at Windross Farm Golf Course on Thursday.

The tournament marks the first time New Zealand has hosted an LPGA or PGA Tour event, and it has brought seven major winners to the country to join the field.

Current PGA Champion Danielle Kang, world number 12 Brooke Henderson and former number one Yani Tseng are all playing in the tournament alongside Ko, in what she describes as her “own backyard”.

Hole 18 of the recently opened event host course, Windross Farm, is also recognised by Ko as being among her favourites.

“Hole 18 at Windross Farm is amazing. I love a par 5 finishing hole,” says Ko.

Pupuke Golf Course, on Auckland’s North Shore, is also close to Ko’s heart – and not surprising, since she first played the course when she was just five years old and became a life member of the club at the age of 18.

Ko says: “Hole 17 at Pupuke has got to be up there. It’s short but it’s always been challenging.”

The wider Auckland region is home to over 30 golf courses which makes the game accessible for anyone visiting the city.

New Zealand is second only to Scotland for the most golf courses per capita, meaning the country is home to an abundance of courses that are never crowded and easily accessible from main centres.

For more information on golf in New Zealand, visit www.newzealand.com/int/golf, or for more event information, visit www.nzwomensopen.com.