Lydia Ko hasn't won an event since July 2016 but has 11 top 10 finishes in 2017. Photo / Brett Phibbs
Lydia Ko hasn't won an event since July 2016 but has 11 top 10 finishes in 2017. Photo / Brett Phibbs
Kiwi golfer Lydia Ko has parted wys with Gary Gilchrist and enlisted former PGA golfer Ted Oh as her new coach.
Much like her 2017 campaign, Ko will begin 2018 with a fresh start - with Oh and new caddie Johnny Scott joining her for the Australian Open which begins on Thursday.
Scott would be Ko's 11th caddie since she turned pro in 2013. Peter Godfrey caddied for Ko during the LPGA Tour last year after replacing Gary Matthews in April
Ko, now ranked world No. 10, hasn't won a tournament since July 2016 and will be looking to see her fortunes change as she heads into the new season.
The Adelaide Advertiser reported Ko had changed coaches, but were unable to clarify who it was, however LPGA.com's Amy Rogers was told by Ko's camp that Oh would be taking over.
Lydia Ko will have her 11th caddie since turning pro in 2013. Photo / Getty
Oh, 40, made six starts on the PGA Tour. He grew up in California competing against the likes of Tiger Woods, and in 1993 qualified for the US Open at the age of 16.
Ko told the Advertiser the changes came after she lost confidence last year as she fell down the world rankings.
"Confidence is a huge thing," she said. "During the middle of last year I felt I lost a bit of confidence.
"Talent wise it does not change week-in, week-out, it is really confidence and how positive you are.
"I took time off to regroup and rest physically and mentally. The past month I have been training back in the states and it is good to come back and play this tournament, my first for the season."
Ko recently described her 2017 season as an 'emotional roller coaster ride'.
The 20-year-old failed to add to her 14 career LPGA titles in 2017 having a down year for end high standards but still finished second in three events and had 11 top tens across the year.
She held the number one spot until midway through June before slipping down to world number nine at season's end.
"2017 has been a year that have taken me on an up and down emotional roller coaster ride... however when I reflect back on my year now, I think every moment has been an experience to grow from, and a learning curve for me both on and off the golf course,"
"Though some may class my season "disappointing", but I would say, that my '17 season was still full of positives.
"Can't say enough thank you's to god, my family, friends, sponsors and fans for being by my side each step of the way. Going to keep working hard to come back more positive, patient, strong and smiley!!! Thanks 2017, now, Hello 2018."
Ko's 11 caddies:
Sacked in rookie year - Michael Henderson, Scott Lubin, Mark Wallington, Steve Kay, Domingo Jojola, Mike Cowan, Greg Johnson.
Jason Hamilton - almost lasted two years during which Ko claimed 10 of her 14 LPGA tour victories. Was sacked in 2016.
