She might be the rising star of women’s golf but Lydia Ko’s mum still calls the shots off the course.
Preparing for the Women’s Australian Open at Victoria Golf Club, the 16-year-old Kiwi rookie pro revealed that she wanted to learn how to drive.
“I want to drive but my Mum says – I don’t think she’ll let me,” said Ko.
“I’ve kind of driven a golf cart before and that didn’t go well.
“Going downhill kind of gives me the creeps.”
Ko said she hoped to change her “travel buddy” mum’s mind and get her license in the United States, where she plans to base herself.
“I think the roads there are a little wider so it gives me a little more room for mistakes.”
Ko is already ranked world No.4 and has five wins in professional events worldwide – four of them as an amateur – including back-to-back Canadian Opens and her first event as a pro at the World Ladies Masters on the Korean tour last November.
Ko has had other big changes in her life since she finished third in last year’s Australian Women’s Open at Royal Canberra, where she stunned the gallery with a record-opening round of nine-under-par 63.
As well as turning pro she has a new coach in Sean Hogan, from the Florida-based David Leadbetter Academy, splitting with her long-time Kiwi mentor Guy Wilson and attracting headlines in New Zealand.
Ko said it was more about logistics than any issue with Wilson’s guidance.
“I was going to play most of my time over in the States and, you know, Orlando is in the States and New Zealand is way too far to come back and see him in that week off.
“I thought it would be a good idea to find a coach based in the States.”
She said that the transition had been straight forward, with no huge changes to her game – proven in her runner-up showing in the New Zealand Open earlier this month.
She was watched at Clearwater by All Black fullback Israel Dagg, who participated in a video announcing she was turning pro and has become a good friend.
Like any New Zealander, Ko isn’t above getting star-struck about their champion rugby team.
“I’ve even got All Blacks on my wedges.
“They’re pretty amazing and to know an All Black player is quite cool.”
