Be The Inspiration: Lydia Ko

She may be the one of the most outstanding women’s golfers the world has ever seen, but even world No. 1 Lydia Ko believes there is no such thing as a perfect round of golf.

“You could shoot 11 or 12 under, but unless you make birdie on every single hole, I feel like there is no perfect round,” the Kiwi teenage sensation says. 

“You can always get better. And I think that’s the cool thing about it - where one day you can shoot 80 and the next day shoot 60-something.

“I know I can work harder to get better. Even though I am the No. 1 ranked player, I know there are a lot of things I can get better at.”

Although that means being focused and constantly fine-tuning her accuracy, it doesn’t mean every hour of the day is fixated with golf.  In fact, Ko insists on getting the balance right – between being the best and having fun.

Ever wondered what the world No. 1 does when she isn’t out on the course? “I watch a whole lot of TV and get told off my mom for doing that!” Ko laughs.

“I just like to chill out. When I’m playing golf I put my 100 percent focus on golf, but when I’m not I just get away from it and shut it down. There’s big importance mentally on trying to have that balance - if you are switched on the whole time thinking about golf, trying to get better every single second, it almost becomes overbearing.”

Sometimes, she says, it is more mentally tiring than physically. “Every shot needs and requires 101 percent focus. But at the same time you have to balance focus with having fun and enjoying it,” says Ko, who started playing golf at five when her aunt – a professor and “golfaholic” – gave her a cut-down club.

For her mental training, she concentrates on trying to keep things positive. “When it doesn’t go so well, I don’t push myself so hard, but I’m still trying to get that determination to get better at the next step.”

Accuracy is the most important thing to get right for Ko. Not every player on the LPGA Tour hits the ball long; Ko sits in the middle of the field when it comes to length, around 225 yards (205m).  But she is more focused on her shots being accurate.  

“Getting the distance can give you a bit of an advantage, but having the accuracy is the most important thing, where you will be able to set yourself opportunities where other people won’t be able to,” she says. Ko works with her coaches, David Leadbetter and Sean Hogan, to perfect her technique, making it more consistent, simple and efficient.

It has been Ko’s dream to play golf at the Rio Olympic Games ever since she heard it would be re-included after a 112-year absence.

“I can’t believe it’s right here, because it’s always been my goal and my dream. I’m pretty sure I’ll be nervous,” she says.  “As an athlete, to say you’re an Olympian is something that’s a whole different feeling - to be proud of representing your country.

“I am South Korean born but most of my golf development has been in New Zealand, it’s where I went to school, and my best friends are from New Zealand. It definitely feels like home. I love it, and I’m so proud to have the flag or the silver fern on my back. To get New Zealand supporting me is a really great thing.”

Although only 19, Ko is already considered a role model to many young golfers around the globe. Being an inspiration to others is “my favourite thing to hear.”

“When I go to events and have a junior come up to me and say ‘Hey you are my role model’ or ‘I want to be like you’ is a really cool thing to hear. In LPGA and in women’s golf we have had so many great role models - players like Juli Inkster and Annika Sorenstam, who have grown women’s golf and made what it is today. If I can put a little of an influence and try to grow the game, and have one more junior start and get interested in golf, then it’s a job well done.”