Lydia Ko, the humble and accomplished golfer, recently won the Olympic gold medal in a spectacular performance at the Paris Olympics. Despite her incredible achievement, Ko kept the medal in her backpack to avoid drawing attention to herself as not everyone knew she was an athlete or an Olympian. After pulling an all-nighter following her victory, Ko finally got some much-needed rest and described the experience as surreal, questioning if it was all a dream.
Now, Ko is competing in the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open at Dundonald Links as a tune-up for the upcoming AIG Women’s British Open at St. Andrews. Her gold-medal performance at the Olympics not only made her the only golfer in the modern era to earn three Olympic medals of each kind but also qualified her for the LPGA Hall of Fame. She became the 35th player to achieve this prestigious honor, which she found overwhelming as many LPGA Hall of Famers reached out to congratulate her on her historic accomplishment.
While reflecting on her success, Ko discussed her next goal of winning a third major, a feat she finds exciting and challenging. Despite only having two top-10 finishes at the British Open, she is determined to improve her performance this time around at St. Andrews. Ko will be joined by her family at the Old Course, making the experience even more special as it may be her last time playing the British Open at St. Andrews.
As for her long-term plans, Ko is taking things one step at a time and has not yet decided on her next move. When asked if the British Open could be her final event, Ko hinted that it is unlikely and plans to evaluate her options after the current year. Although she has previously stated that she won’t compete past the age of 30, Ko left the possibility open for extending her career beyond 2024, acknowledging the mixed emotions she experiences on good and bad days.
Despite the challenges and uncertainties that come with professional golf, Ko remains dedicated and passionate about the sport. While she may have moments where she considers quitting, the thrill of competition and the joy of success keep her motivated to continue pursuing her dreams. With her remarkable achievements and unwavering determination, Lydia Ko has solidified her legacy as one of the greatest golfers of her generation, setting new records and inspiring future generations of athletes to aim for greatness on and off the course.
