Sorenstam heaps praise on ‘smart’ Ko

The most successful player in the history of women’s golf believes wins will continue to pile up for Lydia Ko.

As world No 1 Ko prepares to defend her title at the Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic in San Francisco this weekend, legendary Swedish player Annika Sorenstam was asked to give her latest assessment of the Kiwi star.

After becoming the youngest ever LPGA player of the year in 2015, winning five tournaments and claiming a maiden major championship at the Evian Championship in September, Ko has made a blistering start to 2016.

The 18-year-old, who can celebrate her 19th birthday on Sunday (Monday NZ time) with a third straight Swinging Skirts triumph, bagged her 12th professional victory at the Kia Classic late last month and backed that up by winning the opening major of the year, the ANA Inspiration.

In analysing Ko’s ice-cool performance to close out her second major trophy, Sorenstam, who retired in 2008 after 93 professional wins and 10 major titles, marvelled at the North Shore product’s ability to consistently play at such a high level. ‘‘The key to be being successful, you have to know your strengths,’’ Sorenstam told LPGA.com. ‘‘She had a plan going into the week and she kept grinding.

‘‘To lay up on the 18th hole was a smart move as she played to her strengths. You have to know when to play aggressively and when to play conservative. I think she made a conservative choice but made an aggressive shot.

‘‘She has gotten off to a wonderful start to the year. Her confidence seems high, so there will be more wins for Lydia this season. I will keep a close eye on the upcoming majors.’’

Although Ko is coming off after her worst finish of the year, she has opened up a huge lead at the top of the world rankings thanks to her two wins and three other topthree finishes.

Ko sits on 13.94 average points, almost five points clear of Korean rival Inbee Park and more than six ahead of American Lexi Thompson.

And despite a mixed display at the Lotte Championship in Hawaii last weekend, leading golf pundits continue to heap praise on Ko and what she is achieving.

‘‘It’s staggering, we do not give her enough credit,’’ Golf.com executive editor Alan Bastable said. ‘‘It is probably the most incredible story we have seen in golf easily since Tiger Woods and maybe if you go back before then.

‘‘She is doing it with a game that doesn’t wow you. It sort of reminds you of Jordan Spieth, she just knows where to hit and it and is obviously an incredible putter.

‘‘She is 40 yards behind Lexi Thompson and some of the longer hitters on tour, but she is just putting the ball in the right place and making putts.

‘‘It is obviously a formula that is working.’’

That simple formula has been particularly successful at the Lake Merced Golf Club, where the Swinging Skirts tees off today.

Not only was Ko a winner there last year, she also reached the semifinals when the club hosted the US Junior Championships in 2012.

Ko’s assessment of the course indicated her trademark accuracy would be crucial to her hopes of a three-peat at a venue she loves.

‘‘I’ve played well here the last few years . . . it brought back memories for a lot of us going back to 2012,’’ she said.