Oh yes — Ko swaps coach again
LChristopher Reive
ydia Ko’s dumped golf coach says he’s “in the dark” about her sudden switch to former professional Ted Oh. Neither Ko nor her team have made a formal announcement about the 20-year-old’s new coach-caddie combo and axed coach Gary Gilchrist told the Herald he had heard nothing official either.
When the Herald contacted Gilchrist he replied by text saying: “No idea what prompted the move. I have been waiting for her or her agent to come out with a press release to clarify everything. I am also in the dark.”
Gilchrist remained supportive of Ko. “I believe she will have a fantastic year. Wish her and her family all the best. Loved the time we all spent together.”
He earlier told Golfweek he was grateful for the opportunity to work with one of the “greatest minds in the game”. He only wished they’d had more time. “Like any marriage you hope it lasts more than one year to make it work,” he said.
Oh, 40, made six starts on the PGA Tour. Of South Korean heritage, like Ko, he grew up in California competing against the likes of Tiger Woods. In 1993, at 16, he became the second youngest player to play US Open.
Oh spent a week with Ko in Phoenix last month. He told Golfweek their primary focus was on scoring clubs. They spent the first four hours of each day on shorter irons and then the afternoon on her short game.
Golfweek quoted Ko’s management team as saying the change of coach and caddie was “just a normal transition and exploration that everyone does in their off-season. They’ve only been working together for one to two months. She is hoping to make a great result with them”.
Ko has also hired caddie Jonny Scott for the Australian Open which begins tomorrow in Adelaide. Scott worked for long time with English star Laura Davies and most recently with Australian veteran Karrie Webb.
It’s the third major change for Ko in 15 months.
She started her professional career in the David Leadbetter camp, winning 12 LPGA Tour events, two majors and an Olympic silver medal over three seasons. Caddie Jason Hamilton was on her bag during that period.
But as her form tapered away at the end of 2016, Ko made changes to her crew — splitting with coach, caddie and equipment manufacturer Callaway.
Under Gilchrist and with new PXG clubs, Ko’s form improved in 2017 but it was the first winless season in five years as a professional. She used two caddies Gary Matthews and Peter Godfrey. Ko, now ranked No 10 in the world, hasn’t won since July 2016.
In Adelaide for the Australian Open, Ko told the Adelaide Advertiser the changes were a result of losing confidence last year as she fell down the world rankings.
“Confidence is a huge thing,” she said. “During the middle of last year I felt I lost a bit of confidence.
“Talent-wise it does not change week-in, week-out, it is really confidence and how positive you are. I took time off to regroup and rest physically and mentally.”