Ko hits back at ‘haters’
Tauranga Domain 2.05pm BOP $1.87 Otago $1.87 Lydia Ko has a message for her haters.
The former world No 1, and her family, have come in for criticism this week after she missed the cut at the Women’s British Open last weekend at 12-over par.
Leading the charge was her former coach, David Leadbetter, who was extremely critical of her parents’ influence on her career and he implored them to ‘‘let her go and do her thing’’.
‘‘It really is a very sad situation to observe,’’ Leadbetter told Radio Sport.
‘‘Her team have to be thinking that they have made some huge mistakes taking an unbelievably talented player and turning her into ordinary.
‘‘I hope she gets it back but restoring confidence is never the easiest thing to do. Her parents have a lot to answer for – a case of unbelievable ignorance.’’
Ko wasn’t taking the critique of her parents lying down, taking to Instagram to say comments from her critics did not bother her.
‘‘Thank you to the haters for making me stronger and push me to be the best version of myself . . . and thank you to each and every one that have supported me, your love makes a bump feel like a smooth ride.’’
Leadbetter coached Ko, now 24th in the rankings, for three years from the end of 2013, which coincided with the most successful period of her career.
The 22-year-old enjoyed a meteoric rise during that time, winning 12 LPGA titles including two majors, as well as becoming the the youngest ever world No 1 (male or female) and amassing close to US$7.5 million (NZ$10.4M) in prizemoney.