Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Confident Lydia Ko comfortable atop Gainbridge LPGA leaderboard

Written by 
Published in Golf
Friday, 26 February 2021 08:54

ORLANDO, Fla. – Comfort, consistency and confidence. Those are the keys Lydia Ko is leaning on in what could be a comeback in the making for the former world No.1.

And Ko couldn’t have started her season much better.

On Friday, the two-time major champion followed up an opening-round 65 with a 3-under 69 to maintain her lead at the Gainbridge LPGA at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club. In her season debut, Ko opened with an eagle at the par-4 first hole to jumpstart her eighth season on the LPGA. 

Just halfway into the first event of the year, it may be too early to call it a comeback by Ko, who hasn’t won since 2018. But if Ko could win on Sunday? That’s another story.

“No matter what happens over the weekend, I think it's good to just keep putting myself in these positions,” Ko said after her round on Friday. “I think you get more comfortable with it and the more times you're there I think the higher chance that at the end it will all happen for you. So, I'm trying to not think about what may happen on Sunday.”

Ko is a 15-time winner on the LPGA, with her last victory coming at the LPGA Mediheal Championship in 2018. Her struggles in recent years have been well documented, as she’s made a number of changes to her team, her equipment and her swing. But since connecting with instructor Sean Foley in 2020, Ko’s game has been more consistent. She gained 10 pounds in muscle and added 10 yards off the tee. In 2020, she recorded five top-10s after the tour returned from the hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, which included a runner-up finish at the Marathon LPGA Classic after a collapsing double-bogey at the 72nd hole.

“Just after quarantine, it had probably been my best finish overall and most consistently I’ve been playing,” Ko told GolfChannel.com. “Even in my rookie year, I said consistency is so key and when you’re playing consistent and putting yourself in contention you become more comfortable in that atmosphere and you get a lot of confidence from that.”

Ko hasn’t set goals for the weekend and doesn’t want to fixate on results. Instead, she’s focused on maintaining her patience throughout the round, which is something she’s been working on with both Foley and her mental coach. On Friday, that patience was tested at the par-5 second hole, where Ko hit a wayward tee shot that nestled next to a fence near a neighboring home. Ko went back and forth with her caddie on a club selection before electing to chop out a pitching wedge to simply advance the ball back into the fairway. Ko went on to save par to maintain her lead.

“Even when I’ve hit loose shots, I haven’t been too irritated by it,” Ko explained. “I think that’s a good position to be mentally, so hopefully I’ll just be able to play with commitment and confidence over the weekend as well.”

For Ko, her three C’s could lead to yet another (a championship) come Sunday.

Read 254 times

Soccer

British-born Greece defender Baldock dies aged 31

British-born Greece defender Baldock dies aged 31

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe body of British-born Panathinaikos and Greece defender George B...

USMNT's Aaronson: 'Unfinished business' at Leeds

USMNT's Aaronson: 'Unfinished business' at Leeds

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsUnited States midfielder Brenden Aaronson said he has "unfinished b...

Five ex-employees sue San Diego Wave, NWSL

Five ex-employees sue San Diego Wave, NWSL

EmailPrintFive former employees of San Diego Wave FC have filed a lawsuit in San Diego Superior Cour...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Magic-Pelicans canceled over hurricane concerns

Magic-Pelicans canceled over hurricane concerns

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsORLANDO, Fla. -- Concerns over Hurricane Milton and its effects on...

LeBron questions preseason trip to Milwaukee

LeBron questions preseason trip to Milwaukee

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBefore the Lakers departed on a 1,750-mile flight from Los Angeles...

Baseball

Astros' Dubon recovering from left thumb surgery

Astros' Dubon recovering from left thumb surgery

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsHouston Astros infielder/outfielder Mauricio Dubon is expected to b...

Tumpane replaces Drake on NLDS umpire crew

Tumpane replaces Drake on NLDS umpire crew

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- John Tumpane replaced Rob Drake on the umpire crew for...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated