Lydia Ko continues her sentational form

Kiwi golfer Lydia Ko shot a sensational nine-under 63 at Kapolei Golf Club yesterday to sit firmly among the leaders midway through the second round at the Lotte Championship.

Ko, a two-time major champion who’s seeking her first LPGA Tour victory since 2018, is now 24-under par over her last three rounds; including a finalround 62 last week at the year’s first major where she nearly chased down eventual winner Patty Tavatanakit.

Ko now sits at 14-under at the halfway stage at Kapolei after an opening-round 67. She made nine birdies in a bogey-free second round that required just 24 putts.

First-round co-leader Yuka Saso continued her hot form to be leading Ko by two shots after shooting consecutive rounds of eight-under 64.

Three shots back, in joint third place, are Nelly Korda (68), So Yeon Ryu (68) and Luna Sobron Galmes of Spain. Galmes who plays primarily on the Ladies European Tour and is ranked 233rd in the world, recorded 10 birdies in her round of 64.

A Lim Kim, who won the US Open in December, also shot 64 and was tied with Brianna Do (66) at 10-under.

Ko credited her sensational final round at the ANA Inspiration, as well as her coach Sean Foley, as sources of confidence to begin this latest tournament on a high.

“That final round, I really took and fed on my momentum throughout the day. When you get off to a good start it sets the pace,” Ko said.

“Sean has obviously helped a lot in the technical aspect, but he’s been super helpful for me for a lot of things that go on between the ears.

“He’s just somebody that has built up a lot of confidence, and I think at the end of the day the confidence and belief in yourself is the 15th club in the bag and almost the most important club.”

Despite Ko’s unbelievable run of form, she says she’s determined to keep working on her game and focus on the course.