The Scotsman

ON RIGHT COURSE

- By DUNCAN SMITH

Lydia Ko may still be winless in 2017 but the 20-year-old Kiwi sensation is maintainin­g a positive outlook on the shape her game is in as she eyes what would be a “special” victory in Scotland.

The world No 1 will be returning to take part in the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open at Dundonald Links from 27-30 July, two years after she tied for fourth at the same event .

The tournament, which will be played at the same venue as the men’s Scottish Open for the first time for an increased prize fund of $1.5 million and co-sanctioned by both the LPGA and LET, takes place a week before the Ricoh British Women’s Open at Kingsbarns and Ko said she is looking forward to the challenge.

“I think it would be extremely special to win in Scotland, especially with all of the history of the game and the legends to have won there,” said Ko. “To have my name alongside them would be a huge honour.

“It is definitely a goal for me to win the Ricoh Women’s British Open once in my career as it’s definitely one of the most fun and challengin­g tournament­s we play all year. You have to play smart and play creatively all week.

“It was actually my first time playing in a pro-am format when I played in 2015 and it was a lot of fun. I felt like

0 Lydia Ko in action at the Australian Women’s Open at The Grange in Adelaide in February.

LYDIA KO Dundonald [venue for the 2015 Ladies Scottish Open] wasn’t a typical links but rather a mix between an American style and British links which I think suits my game.”

Ko held on to her world No 1 ranking, as rivals Ariya Jutanugarn and Yeon Ryu failed to take advantage of the Kiwi’s absence at the LPGA Volvik Championsh­ip in Michigan at the weekend.

There have been no titles and another caddie split this year, but Ko insists she is in a good place heading into a busy summerperi­od.“ifeellikem­ygame is going in the right direction, a few top tens to build up my confidence,” she said. “I was hittingthe­ballgreate­arlyinthe season but struggling a little bit with my putting but I think I’m a little better there now.

“I’m going to continue to work hard to improve but being able to put myself in contention as many times builds the confidence up.

“If I can keep giving myself opportunit­ies, it’ll come. We’ve got a huge stretch coming up with three majors in 12 weeks, so it’s an exciting time.”

Gary Matthews said Ko “needs to wake up on caddieplay­er relationsh­ips” when he was fired earlier in the year but the two-time major winner said that new bag man

“I felt like Dundonald wasn’t a typical links but rather a mix between an American style and British links which I think suits my game”

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