WELLINGTON, New Zealand -- Top-ranked amateur Lydia Ko has chosen an unusual method to announce her decision to turn professional at the age of 16 and after foregoing more than $1 million in potential prize money. Reggie Wayne Jersey . Ko, ranked No. 4 in the world, chose not to hold a formal news conference but released a short, scripted video in which she debates the merits of turning professional with the All Blacks rugby player Israel Dagg. The video shows Dagg losing to Ko in a golf match, then telling her: "If you can beat me, then you can definitely handle the pressure of going pro. It must be time now." Ko nods and replies: "Okay, Ill do it ... right now, right this second." Ko alerted her Twitter followers to the video and her decision by posting "made a monumental decision today with a little help from my @AllBlacks friend @Izzy--Dagg #LOVEGolf." New Zealand Golf chief executive Dean Murphy said Ko "was reluctant to hold a traditional press conference" because she "didnt want to make a big fuss about news that had already been reported in the media in recent weeks." "This is a very momentous day for Lydia and we are so thrilled that she has chosen such a unique and entertaining way to share her news with her fans today," Murphy said. "She has also been very busy studying for exams and wanted to make this announcement in a different way." The LPGA Tour confirmed Oct. 10 that it received a petition from Ko asking that it waive its minimum age requirement of 18. Ko was born in South Korea but moved to New Zealand with her parents and took up golf aged five. She first took lessons at Aucklands Pupuke Golf Club from professional Guy Wilson, who has been her coach ever since. She was the worlds leading female amateur in 2011, 2012 and 2013 and became the youngest person, male or female, to win a professional tournament when she won the 2012 New South Wales Open at the age of 14. That record has since been broken. Ko was also the youngest winner of an LPGA tournament when, aged 15, she won the 2012 Canadian Open, a title she defended this year. She has yet to miss a cut in 23 professional tournaments. After finishing runnerup at the Evian Championships in France in July, Ko hinted that she would be turning professional but said she wished to complete exams before making any announcement. She is expected to play for the first time as a professional in the LPGAs season-ending event in Florida. Murphy said Kos career as an amateur "has been phenomenal." "Her amateur record ranks right up there among the greats of the game," Murphy said. "She has won four (tour) titles, claimed the U.S. and Australian Amateur titles, climbed to No.4 on the World Rankings and has been the World No. 1 amateur for more than two years without ever losing that title. "That is a record that is unlikely to be matched by a 16-year-old ever again." Trent Richardson Jersey .J. -- Before his team took the ice to face the Pittsburgh Penguins Saturday, New Jersey Devils forward Ilya Kovalchuk spoke to head coach Peter DeBoer about the possibility of taking a penalty shot. Mike Adams Jersey . -- Brian Dawkins biggest contribution Sunday in the AFC wild card playoffs will be with his talking and not his tackling.ALAMEDA, Calif. - The Oakland Raiders signed special teams standout Taiwan Jones to a three-year extension on Monday that keeps him under contract through 2017. Jones still had one year remaining on his rookie deal but was allowed to negotiate an extension for the first time this off-season. General manager Reggie McKenzie kept a speedster originally picked by late owner Al Davis who emerged as a top special teams player after struggling to make it as a running back. Jones is a Bay Area native who is active in the community and very popular with Raiders fans. "I was excited when they came to me about the extension," Jones said. "It is definitely a blessing for a local kid to be part of the Raiders turnaround. Ive been an underdog all my life, so I think its very fitting for me to remain here. Im definitely excited about it." Jones was originally selected by Oakland as a running back in the fourth round in 2011 out of Eastern Washington after running a 4.33-second 40-yard dash before the draft. That speed and 2,955 yards rushing and 36 touchdowns in two seasons as a running back in college lled Davis to select him. Pat McAfee Jersey. But Jones struggled with injuries and ball security his first two seasons. He had 22 carries for 94 yards and four catches for 36 yards and averaged 18.7 yards on 10 kickoff returns as he struggled to find a role in the NFL. The Raiders moved Jones to cornerback last season but he did not play on defence. Jones made his impact on special teams, where he was credited with 13 solo tackles and two assists. Oakland heavily promoted Jones for the Pro Bowl but he did not make the team. "Its rare to see and to know that my local team wants me to stay home, and its just a blessing," he said. "Im glad to be part of it, happy to remain here and there are big things coming that I am happy to be part of it. I feel good about next year. Obviously, I was able to do a lot of good things on special teams last year. Unfortunately, I didnt make the Pro Bowl last year, but that is something Im shooting for this year." Jones also got some time at running back last season because of injuries and finished with five carries for 23 yards and two catches for 55 yards. cheap nfl jerseys ' ' '
