Golf: Lydia Ko opens up about caddie axing, dismisses Steve Williams comments

Lydia Ko has opened up about her relationship with ex-caddie Jason Hamilton and why she decided to give him the axe. Photo / Photosport

World No. 1 golfer Lydia Ko has opened up about the axing of her caddie Jason Hamilton, dismissing high-profile New Zealand caddie Steve Williams' comments that it was a "panic move".

Instead, Ko insists that there is no bad blood between the two and that it was merely the need for change that spurred her decision.

"I really think that some people might think I might have ended on bad terms with my former caddie, Jason," Ko said to media in Kuala Lumpur. "But no, I really enjoyed working with him the past few years.

"Actually, two years ago here was my first like official tournament with him full-time, so it's been a lot of fun.

"I think sometimes change is a good thing, and you know, he's working with another great player, Jang Ha-na, who I think has won three times this year. So all the best to that team, too."

The Olympic silver medalist addressed comments made by Tiger Woods' former caddie Steve Williams who said that Ko had pushed the panic button too early.

Rather than fuel the fire, she provided a more diplomatic response.

"With what Steve Williams said, I can't really say anything," Ko said.

"It's his opinion, and you know, it's what he thinks. So what somebody else thinks is really out of my hands, I guess I have to respect that."

Ko is desperately trying to close the gap on rival Ariya Jutanugarn in the race to the CMB rankings. While she still has the World No. 1 ranking, she has been hit with her first real form slump.

She returns to LPGA tour action this week in Malaysia with local bagman Sargunan Suntharaj by her side, but she said she wouldn't make a permanent decision until after the LPGA Tour's season-ending CME Group Tour Championship.

"For this week, Sarkunan is on my bag. He's had past experience caddying here," she said.

"Then, I said, you know, I'm planning to make all the decisions for next year after CME. I want to get this year done and finish strong and not worry about what's going to come up."