Lydia Ko has a new instructor.
Wednesday, the world No.1 confirmed she’s now working with instructor Gary Gilchrist. Ko is the newest addition to Gilchrist’s growing stable of LPGA superstars including world No.2 Ariya Jutanugarn, two-time winner in 2016 Shanshan Feng and former world No.1 Yani Tseng. Ko began working with the Orlando area instructor following her split with David Leadbetter at the end of November.
“When I talked to the other players that were with Gary they said he was very simple, wasn’t very mechanical,” Ko told the media. “That was kind of the aspect I thought would be great. I tried a few lessons with him. I felt like it was really simple and we didn’t like rip the swing apart and I think that as very important and I think that was good to see the changes we have made.”
Ko spoke publicly for the first time about her work with Gilchrist during a media day in Auckland, New Zealand. She’s in her home country to promote September’s New Zealand Women’s Open, one of four new events on the LPGA Tour’s schedule in 2017. Gilchrist confirmed on social media the pair are officially working together. During the past several weeks, posts were shared by Gilchrist’s students showing Ko participating in group practices.
The announcement confirms yet another big change for the two-time major champion. Ko parted with her caddie during the Tour’s Asia Swing in October. She then split with Leadbetter in November. During the off-season she switched equipment from Callaway to PXG Golf.
“I don’t think I’ve been that worried about the changes, because it almost takes me back to three years ago when I was a rookie. You know, when you’re a rookie on Tour everything is new and you’re excited. That’s the similar mindset going into this year too,” Ko told the media. “It’s an exciting time and I feel like I‘ve learned about my game and it’s been a great off-season.”
Ko makes her 2017 debut at the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open next week.
)
)
)
)
