Golf: Lydia Ko's new lease of life ahead of first major of the year

Lydia Ko. Photo / Photosport

Lydia Ko has left negativity behind and seems to have a new lease of life – and it looks like it's translating to more enjoyment on and off the course ahead of the first major of the year.

A quick glance at Ko's Instagram profile, the main means of expression these days for the 23-year-old former world number one, shows an athlete that's enjoying the little things in life.

She's thankful for her family and her fans, is embracing being a role model for young girls, and loves a good motivational quote: "Every moment of our life can be the beginning of great things," a Joseph Pilates quote she posted earlier this year along with photos of herself practicing the zen-inducing exercise.

She's content, and is approaching her career – and this week's ANA Inspiration, where she won her last major in 2016 – in the same way.

"I'm looking forward to it," she says ahead of the tournament that starts on Friday morning. "I'm trying to not think of it like, 'Ok oh my god this is a major', and just have fun out there and see what happens."

Ko has kicked off her 2021 season in the same way she ended last year: consistent and constantly in the hunt for the title, but not quite able to break her winning drought of almost three years.

After three consecutive top 10 finishes on the LPGA Tour, Ko struggled last week at the Kia Classic where she ended up in a tie for 26th following a rough start to the tournament.

Ko admitted her game, and ball striking in particular, wasn't quite there but she hopes the improvements she made over the weekend will continue into the ANA Inspiration.

"Last was a bit of an up-and-down week. My ball striking wasn't there but progressively throughout the week it got better. So hopefully I'm going to feed on the momentum.

"I think the ball striking and especially hitting as many fairways as possible is going to be key [this weekend] just to give yourself better opportunities to the greens."

The ANA Inspiration holds a special place in Ko's heart, following her win in 2016 where she became the youngest two-time major champion, and is relishing the opportunity to compete at the 50th anniversary of the event.

If all goes well, Ko will be jumping in the Poppie's Pond for the second time in her career.

"I think this stop has been a huge moment for the LPGA and hopefully we'll be here for a long time because I know there are going to be junior girls that see the ladies jump into the Poppie's Pond and go 'man, I wish one day I will be the one jumping into the pond'.

"It's something that I had dreamt of and I'm sure many others will, and hopefully we'll be here for 75-100 years and many more years to come."

Whether or not she breaks her title duck this weekend and gets to complete her second ceremonial dive into the waters at Mission Hills Country Club, rest assured Ko will still be repping those positive vibes.

"Every week is a new week. Every day is a new day," she said pensively.