Who Is Lydia Ko's Coach?
Who Is Lydia Ko's Coach?
Who currently coaches the former world number one Lydia Ko? Here we take a look.
Who Is Lydia Ko's Coach?
Lydia Ko is one of the most recognisable faces in the women's game, rising to prominence when she was just 14-years-old.
In 2012, the New Zealander became the youngest person ever to win a professional golf tournament, claiming the Women's NSW Open on the ALPG Tour.
Later that year, at the age of 15, Ko would become the youngest ever winner of an LPGA Tour event, winning the Canadian Open by three strokes.
With such an established career already, who coaches the New Zealander? We find out here.
Who Is Lydia Ko's Coach?
World renowned coach, Sean Foley, has worked with some of golf's biggest names and has been Ko's coach since the end of July 2020.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
Foley, who has worked with the likes of Tiger Woods and Justin Rose, started working with Ko after golf returned from lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Speaking about Foley, Ko said: “He hasn't ripped anything apart. He said what I had there was still pretty good. So it's been very small things.
“He's gotten me to not think too much about the lines of everything, I've tried to change my mindset of not taking a video of my swing every single time I'm on the driving range.
“Just go out there, and if the ball is going the way I think it's going, then just play with it. It doesn't need to look like a perfect swing for me just to play golf.”
Ko has had a history of changing coaches. Whilst number one in the world, Ko was coached by David Leadbetter, with the pair controversially splitting in 2016.
In an interview with New Zealand’s Radio Sport, Leadbetter said: “Her parents have a lot to answer for . . . They tell her when to go to bed, what to eat, what to wear, when to practice and what to practice. They expect her to win every tournament.”
Ko's coach whilst growing up was Guy Wilson, then in late 2013, she would appoint Leadbetter, leaving him in late 2016. She would then work with Gary Gilchrist, Ted Oh, David Whelan and then Jorge Parada, with Foley being her seventh coach in seven years.
Related: Who Is Hideki Matsuyama's Coach?
Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.
Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.
Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?
Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°
Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°
Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°
Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°
Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
-
Scottie Scheffler Provides Update Ahead Of Injury Return
The World No.1 shared he was on track to return soon, but declined to confirm whether he would be back in time for the upcoming AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Ras Al Khaimah Championship 2025 Odds, Picks And Predictions
Each of the Golf Monthly news team have picked a favorite and outside contender from the DP World Tour's Ras Al Khaimah Championship at Al Hamra Golf Club
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Mirabel Ting Facts: 10 Things To Know About The College Golfer
Mirabel Ting is one of the brightest stars in college golf - here are 10 things to know about the Florida State University player
By Mike Hall Published
-
Rianne Malixi Facts: 10 Things To Know About The Amateur Golfer
Rianne Malixi has made a big impression in a glittering amateur career so far - here are 10 things to know about her
By Mike Hall Published
-
Emilia Migliaccio Facts: 11 Things To Know About TV Reporter & Talented Amateur
Get to know former college golfing star and now broadcaster Emilia Migliaccio with our facts about her life and career
By Paul Higham Published
-
Kay Cockerill Facts: 15 Things To Know About The Golf Channel Broadcaster
Kay Cockerill has been with the Golf Channel since its inception, but she also had a successful playing career - here are 15 things to know about her
By Mike Hall Published
-
Karen Stupples Facts: 15 Things To Know About The Major-Winning Broadcaster
Karen Stupples left her professional playing career behind to take up broadcasting - here are 15 things you may not know about her
By Mike Hall Published
-
What Are Charley Hull's Stock Yardages?
The English star is one of the most powerful hitters on the LPGA Tour - but how far does Hull hit every club in the bag?
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Marina Alex Facts: 10 Things To Know About The LPGA Tour Pro
Marina Alex has been an LPGA Tour pro since 2014 - here are 10 things to know about the American
By Mike Hall Published
-
9 Big Name Golfers Who Didn’t Go To College
Not every player who makes it in the professional game had the benefit of a college golf career - here are nine of the biggest names who made their names without taking that route
By Mike Hall Published