"She has looked a little bit tired in the last couple of events and that is understandable," says Tataurangi. "She could prepare and be rested for each event as an amateur and now that equation has changed quite a bit. Management of her schedule will be key."
As well as an increase in playing weekends, Ko has also had to adjust to a new coaching scenario (after the decision to part ways with Guy Wilson) and a different brand of clubs. She is now based in the US and also has to do without the support networks of home.
Tataurangi talks about the "degree of innocence" as an amateur golfer which quickly disappears the moment you are playing for dollars rather than dinner vouchers.
"As an amateur, you just want to finish as high as possible," explains Tataurangi.
"You have goals and aspirations but in a different way. As a professional, there is suddenly a measurable, clear difference between finishing 10th and finishing 15th."
As well as more pressure and expectation, Ko's deal with IMG means there is also a whole host of commercial commitments around the game.
"You have to say her transition so far has been impressive," says Tataurangi. "She has won a tournament and only been outside the top 20 once [21st in her first pro event in Florida last year]."
"Everyone expects her to set the world on fire," says former New Zealand No 1 Greg Turner. "It's a big transition to make and she hasn't had a bad tournament yet. It's way too early to assess things but so far, so good ... it's been neither spectacular nor problematic."
Turner feels the change in coaching set up is probably the biggest issue she has to contend with: "In the past, when top players have changed their coach, it was often for one of two reasons. Either they wanted to make a radical alteration or modification to their game or their form had slipped. Lydia's was a different scenario; for her new team, it is a process of getting to know each other."
In her short professional career, Ko has already banked US$328,000 (about $390,000). She seems content with her progress, taking a realistic approach to what she can achieve in the rest in 2014.
"It's kind of a learning year as it's my rookie year and I haven't played the majority of the courses and I've got to learn what it's like playing on the tour," she said during the HSBC Champions in Singapore last week.
"You just can't play well every week, every day; I wish I could but that doesn't really happen. Expectations are there, but I've just got to forget about it and just concentrate on my game."
"We have to be careful with our expectations," says Turner. "Remember, even the best players of all time win only 10 to 15 per cent of the tournaments they play in. Having said that, I wouldn't be surprised if she wins one or two tournaments this year."
