Golf: Ko in pursuit of Lewis

Lydia Ko
Lydia Ko
Catching the red-hot Stacy Lewis will perhaps be Lydia Ko's biggest challenge outside of navigating the links of Royal Birkdale when she tees it up at the Women's British Open.

Lewis, the world No 1, has recorded 13 top-10 finishes from 15 starts on the LPGA Tour this year and has played with remarkable consistency.

The American won the Arkansas Championship two weeks ago with a blistering six-under 65 during her final round as Ko was forced to settle for a share of second place, one stroke back.

Ko is yet to win a major but has plenty of time on her side given she is only 17 and the world No 2's coach, David Leadbetter, said his prodigy had the ability to cross that off her to-do list when the British Open gets underway tonight (thurs, NZT).

"There's very few courses that don't set up well for Lydia because she's so versatile," Leadbetter told the Herald. "She's a favourite every time she tees it up now; it's as simple as that."

Leadbetter and his offsider Sean Hogan, who have worked with Ko since she announced she was parting ways with former instructor Guy Wilson in December, have only made minor tweaks during their time tutoring her.

"She's like a sponge," Leadbetter said. "She tends to soak things up and she's really a delightful girl. She's got a great attitude, she's always smiling; always laughing.

"Within the framework of her golf swing she's changed a few subtle things and she likes the changes and she's adapted to them really well."

Some of those subtle differences are around her grip, closing the club face in her set-up and standing slightly closer to the ball.

Leadbetter said the result was Ko now hits the ball further, while they were also managing her ability to line up her putts with the help of an eye specialist.

Ko's noted consistency could be crucial during the British Open where tough conditions could greet the players at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England.

One of the simmering issues Ko has experienced during her rookie season on tour has been an inability to find a regular caddy.

Ko has used at least half a dozen different people to carry her bag this year, including her father, and Leadbetter said he expected veteran Greg Johnston to do the job this week.

Leadbetter said Ko was specific in who she wanted to perform the role and it had to be someone who could read greens and regularly line up her shots.

The teenager was also after someone who was upbeat to contrast with her cool demeanour.

"I told her she's looking for a cross between Jesus Christ and Houdini as a caddy," Leadbetter joked.

Ko's management, IMG, told the Herald she wouldn't comment on her caddy situation.

Leadbetter said he and Hogan hoped she would settle on somebody she was comfortable with in the future.

"It's not an easy task and there's a limited pool of really good caddies on the LPGA because if a caddy's really good they're going to be on the men's tour because they're going to earn a lot more money."

- by Daniel Richardson of APNZ

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