The Amazing Lydia Ko

[pmcuk]

Lyds winning the AIG caused me to reflect on how this remarkable golfer wins the biggest challenges when those around her fall away. Recently the CME Championship, the Olympic Gold Medal and now something she wanted to add to her career - another major. She didn't get the last few HoF points in easy tournaments - she got them in the toughest ones that everyone else wanted. So what does she have that's special? No doubt what her predecessor in the HoF had, the great Inbee Park. That same cool focus when the challenge is greatest. The ability to go into overdrive and find extra resources when they are most needed. What psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi calls the "flow" state where skill and challenge are perfectly balanced and the concentration matches the goal you set. 

 

Maybe also her victories are helped by her rivals falling off in the last holes - do they sense that she has the determination to finish the tournament off, and then get nervous? Inbee Park also had that ability to pull off last minute wins. No doubt the same ability Annika Sörenstam and other HoF'ers had. 

 

How do you guys read Lydia Ko over her long career? 

[JungleJimbo]

nice post @postfold .... bonus points for typing out the full name of that "flow state" psychologist!

 

Here's something from KVV, about Lydia's upbeat demeanour/ not holding grudges/ interacting with fans

... that IMHO also contributes to her "weltanschauung" i.e. world-view/ philosophy and view of life ... and that (i believe) contributes to Lydia's ability to manage the stress during these peak periods.

 

 

 

[JungleJimbo]

re-posted here, to save folks a google-search!

Letter to my 15-year-old Self

lpga.com/news/2020/lydia-ko-letter-to-my-15-year-old-self

 

Written By:

Lydia Ko

 

 

 

Quote

 

  Quote

 

Lydia Ko is a two-time major champion and the youngest golfer in history to reach No.1 in any world ranking.

Published: Jul 16, 2020

Topic: lydia-ko Drive On

 

 

Dear 15-year-old Lydia:

 

So much is about to happen – wonderful things and hard things; things that will create joyful memories and hurtful things that will bring you to tears. You will learn and grow as a person from all of them.

 

The most important piece of advice I could give you is to never take a single day, a single moment for granted. Soak up every experience and embrace every feeling, good and bad, that comes your way. The game you love is a vehicle that allows you to go places, meet people and learn things that others might never know or understand. But you have to slow down and take your eyes off the road every so often or you will miss the scenery.

 

 

You have to pause and appreciate the interactions with your fellow players. When you win your first LPGA event as an amateur in Vancouver, the whirlwind will shock you. You won’t understand or appreciate the significance of the moment. That’s okay. You’re a kid. The most important thing to remember is the encouragement you receive. Stacy Lewis will walk beside you in the final round and say, “You’ve got this. You’re playing well. Now, finish strong.” That moment will take your breath away, not just because Stacy is a fellow competitor, but because she has been the No.1 player in the Rolex Rankings and is an ambassador for the women’s game. For her to take the time to encourage you in the middle of a final round is an example you will remember and aspire to emulate.

 

For a while, winning will seem routine, almost automatic. You will lose track of all the “firsts” and “youngest evers” you set. Don’t fool yourself into thinking it’s easy. And don’t for a moment believe it will last forever. The truest axiom of golf is this: no matter how you are playing, it will change. One week, one season, one year or two, every shot will seem simple and every putt will look like a tap-in. Then, a week or two later, maybe longer, the shots that used to land exactly where they should will fall just a fraction to the left or right. The putts that seemed to find the center of the hole will veer off by mere centimeters. Don’t panic. The game hasn’t abandoned you. You haven’t forgotten how to play.

Golf is hard. That is why so many fans come out to see it being played well. They understand the hours on the range that it takes to build a solid, repeatable golf swing. They understand the sweat and frustration that goes into thousands of bunker shots. They appreciate the dedication it takes to make 100 6-footers before dinner. And they appreciate the nerve required to hit shots under pressure. 

 

There is good news. Just as quickly as the game can slip away, with hard work and self-belief it can come back. And when it does, you will be stronger and wiser for having traveled the rough road to get there.

 

A few more things you should know: Your golf swing may come and go, but your family and friends, the people who care about you, will love you no matter what you shoot. Trophies are symbols of what you’ve accomplished in the past. Your family and friends represent who and what you can be in the future. Their hugs, their presence, their laughter is life’s greatest victory.

 

Also, you may be young, but you are your own person. The independent streak you feel will only grow as you mature. But independence comes with responsibility. The decisions you make are yours. Others will criticize you and will question those around you, assuming you are being manipulated or led. Those criticisms and accusations will wound you – knives thrown at those close to you always cut deeper than those you field yourself – but they also make you stronger and more appreciative of the people who stand by your side. Just as you are responsible for the shots you hit in competition and the scores you post on your card you are also responsible for the decisions you make that got you there. The advice of others is important. But the decisions are yours. Own them.

 

Reaching world No.1 is exciting and will teach you a lot. But going through change, struggling with your game and wrestling with some of the tough choices you have to make, that is the fertile ground where growth occurs.

 

Finally, young Lydia, that instinct you have to remain approachable and engaging is the right one. The laugh that people can hear from the tennis courts and know that it’s you, that is something you should never change, no matter how self-conscious you sometimes feel. When you recognize a volunteer and want to say ‘hi,’ don’t hesitate. Don’t worry about how it looks. Be yourself, first and always. If you do that, words like “brand” and “image;” “platform” and “presence,” will take care of themselves. 

 

Be you. And be happy. Do that, and everything else is going to be fine.

 

Comments

Copyright © LPGA 2024. All Rights Reserved.

Copyright © LPGA 2024. All Rights Reserved.

 

 

 

[pmcuk]

".......Stacy Lewis will walk beside you in the final round and say, “You’ve got this. You’re playing well. Now, finish strong.” That moment will take your breath away..."

 

Lydia on Vancouver. 

[JungleJimbo]

 

 

[JungleJimbo]

 

 

 

Edited August 27, 2024 by JungleJimbo

[ericm007]

Yes. I really like Lydia, she has had a great career and I'm sure there is more to come.

 

Seems like her game has been reignited once she changed equipment manufacturers. 😉

[JungleJimbo]

 

 

[MagicClassic407]

So happy for Lydia that her husband showed for this one. It clearly meant alot to her. 

 

Having been her walking scorekeeper in the past, I can attest "she really is ALL that". I hope she hangs for awhile longer.  And continues to play while pregnant someday!

[JungleJimbo]

2 hours ago, MagicClassic407 said:

So happy for Lydia that her husband showed for this one. It clearly meant alot to her. 

 

Having been her walking scorekeeper in the past, I can attest "she really is ALL that". I hope she hangs for awhile longer.  And continues to play while pregnant someday!

 

 

 

 

[JungleJimbo]

 

 

[JungleJimbo]

 

https://nolayingup.com/blog/on-lydia-ko-and-destiny

 

 

[JungleJimbo]

So there's a chance that Lydia Ko will continue to play next season/ not yet retiring?

(in the video, Ron Sirak mentions "Lydia made a promise/vow to herself, to retire at the age of 30 [ i.e. not "Before/By the age of 30"?] .. there's still more that she can accomplish in the next 3 years").

 

 

 

Edited August 27, 2024 by JungleJimbo

[vtpachyderm]

It wouldn't surprise me if she continued. There must have been so much stress and pressure to get that last point to make the Hall of Fame, and when you're that close, it probably was all she could think about. Now with that out of the way, there has got to be a sense of calmness and relief and thus able to play with much less stress/pressure that maybe golf becomes enjoyable again. The LPGA HOF seems like a really hard one to get into, and I guess I was just surprised it took her that long given how much potential she started with.

 

Really really well deserved, and she has definitely earned it.

[Rapidcat]

37 minutes ago, vtpachyderm said:

It wouldn't surprise me if she continued. There must have been so much stress and pressure to get that last point to make the Hall of Fame, and when you're that close, it probably was all she could think about. Now with that out of the way, there has got to be a sense of calmness and relief and thus able to play with much less stress/pressure that maybe golf becomes enjoyable again. The LPGA HOF seems like a really hard one to get into, and I guess I was just surprised it took her that long given how much potential she started with.

 

Really really well deserved, and she has definitely earned it.

 

Agree with you. Also pressure from 8 years between majors, maybe just as much from that?

 

Thoughts of under-achievement? Not any more!

[vtpachyderm]

26 minutes ago, Rapidcat said:

 

Agree with you. Also pressure from 8 years between majors, maybe just as much from that?

 

Thoughts of under-achievement? Not any more!

I don't think we amateurs can even begin to fathom the amount of pressure that comes with expectations at this level to win the tournaments that count i.e. majors.

It's a different type of pressure when you're expected to win all the time vs. one major and that's me done...

 

Just as a comparison - Rory at his quest for a Green Jacket, or any player that's currently in the 'best not to have won a major' discussions.

 

Watch her go on a winning streak now until she eventually decides to call it a day.
 

[Rapidcat]

2 minutes ago, vtpachyderm said:

I don't think we amateurs can even begin to fathom the amount of pressure that comes with expectations at this level to win the tournaments that count i.e. majors.

It's a different type of pressure when you're expected to win all the time vs. one major and that's me done...

 

Just as a comparison - Rory at his quest for a Green Jacket, or any player that's currently in the 'best not to have won a major' discussions.

 

Watch her go on a winning streak now until she eventually decides to call it a day.
 

 

May even play the best golf of her career.

[Avidswampthing66]

Lydia is a great champion among the other amazing qualities.  Kind, intelligent and down to earth.  I hope she can nab an another one or two.   

 

Is Lydia the best wedge player on the LPGA?  One of the all time wedge players even.  People always mention this as one of her strong suits and then watching the last few holes she knocked several stone dead wedges in tight.  

[JungleJimbo]

 

 

[JungleJimbo]

 

 

[Titleist_PT23]

Golf-Ko says Grand Slam chase could delay any retirement plans (msn.com)

[3eagles]

12 hours ago, JungleJimbo said:

 

 

I know I know . .  I'm pure evil.

But this one made me smile! 

 

[Rapidcat]

54 minutes ago, 3eagles said:

I know I know . .  I'm pure evil.

But this one made me smile! 

 

 

That guy's a twit, Greg is already a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame (which the LPGA Hall of Fame comes under) which is based at Pinehurst and includes world golf achievements (for competitors that means wins from a number of recognised Tours and other measurable criteria). Both male and female.

 

Greg was inducted in 2001. His 20 PGAT wins incl 2 majors were enough to qualify him but of course he had far more wins globally with 90 in total.

 

 

Edited August 29, 2024 by Rapidcat

[AKL Kiwi]

 

[jobin]

Very understandable that Lydia's husband is seldom seen.  Those photographers are no more than intrusive parasites.  And not only in golf, but through much of social media; everything for a $ only. 

[Sanfran328]

I live in San Francisco and was invited to play my first round at The Olympic Club last year with an early afternoon tee time. Got there early to warm up and sample their signature burger dog. My last stop before teeing off was at the putting green, and as I was walking off a cute Asian girl walked by and gave me a nice smile. I thought to myself that she looked familiar, and when I walked by her cart I saw her bag, sure enough it was Lydia Ko. As much as I wanted to let her know how much I admired her game and the way she treated others, I didn’t want to intrude on her practice. I found out later that her new husband was a member, so she would often practice there when in town. It proved inspirational for me, as I had my best round of the year considering the quality of the course.

[lchang]

 

On 8/31/2024 at 7:40 PM, Sanfran328 said:

I live in San Francisco and was invited to play my first round at The Olympic Club last year with an early afternoon tee time. Got there early to warm up and sample their signature burger dog. My last stop before teeing off was at the putting green, and as I was walking off a cute Asian girl walked by and gave me a nice smile. I thought to myself that she looked familiar, and when I walked by her cart I saw her bag, sure enough it was Lydia Ko. As much as I wanted to let her know how much I admired her game and the way she treated others, I didn’t want to intrude on her practice. I found out later that her new husband was a member, so she would often practice there when in town. It proved inspirational for me, as I had my best round of the year considering the quality of the course.

 

I am a member at Olympic and in mid-July I brought some (not-very-good-at-golf) friends to play at the Cliffs. (That's a 9-hole, par-3 course at OClub). I was near the end of the range, but hadn't noticed Lydia Ko and her husband at the very end there. She walked right by me to clean her club, and I just blurted out, "You're Lydia Ko!" 🤦‍♂️ 

 

She was even nicer than everyone says. I tried to recover with, "Oh, sorry, I'm just a big fan." She asked me what I was up to that day and I asked her about the British Open. She said first there was Canada and then the Olympics. "Oh yeah!" I responded. Basically, I was a nervous little fanboi. But, again, she did everything to allay the awkwardness, making nice small talk about weather and golf. She was so, so great. 

 

I did overhear her later giving her husband some tips. No advice flowed in the other direction! She recently joined OClub (which has a very large membership), so I can go into the app, reserve a time, and add her to my foursome--she'll get an email and I'm sure she'll just show up?! 😜

 

The point of all this is: After she met me, she won the Gold Medal, qualified for the Hall of Fame, and won her first major in 8 years. Coincidence?! 😂

[Mr.Cleeks]

I hope she doesn’t retire anytime soon but nothing would surprise me with Lydia. Winning the gold and the Open at St Andrews is honestly a perfect way to go out if she does step away from the game. It’s absolutely mind boggling that she’s younger then Scottie

[The Milk Man]

So good to see LKO back at the top of the game. What she did as an am and teen will probably never happen again. Hopefully she plays a few more years. So much more she can accomplish.

[3eagles]

From a Lydia group: