Lydia Ko focussed on fun and the Rio Olympics
Kiwi golf star Lydia Ko does feel nerves after all.
Vying for a third career major championship and first US Women’s Open title in California starting Friday, the 19-year-old world No 1 has developed a reputation for an unflappable temperament and calmness under pressure on her way to 13 LPGA titles.
Ko, who comes into the event at the CordeValle Golf Club in San Martin on the back of her third win of the season at the Arkansas Championship, has revealed she is not always as cool as she looks in the crunch situations.
‘‘I try and stay calm,’’ the teenager who hails from the North Shore told excellesports.com.
‘‘People say I look calmer than what’s going on in the inside. I do get nervous going down the last hole at a big tournament. But I think it’s good to be nervous too.’’
Ko is one of the leading contenders to lift the silverware at the US Open, which starts a big month on the calendar with the British Open to follow at the end of the July and golf’s return to the Olympic Games in early August.
‘‘I’m really excited for the Rio Olympics coming up. It’s always been my goal to compete and represent my country among the world’s best golfers and athletes in general.
‘‘Just to be there with that vibe is great, and if I was able to bring a medal back for New Zealand, that would be extra special.’’