World No.3 Lydia Ko has announced that she has parted ways with coach Sean Foley after two years.
Ko revealed the news via Instagram, writing: “When I first met Sean, I was in a place where I didn’t have a lot of confidence in myself and in my game. Over the past two years he has helped me evolve as a better player and person. Our time together was full of so much learning, laughter.”
Ko, who cited "logistical reasons" for the split, initially turned to Tiger Woods' former coach in 2020 following a barren run of over two years without a win on the LPGA Tour. The New Zealander was also outside the world’s top 50 when the pair began working together. Ko rediscovered her winning touch on the Tour in the 2021 Lotte Championship, and has won twice more in 2022, including in the recent BMW Ladies Championship.
Ko is no stranger to changing coaches having also worked with the likes of Jorge Parada, David Whelan and Gary Gilchrist. In 2019, another of her former coaches, David Leadbetter, blamed Ko’s parents for the slump in form that saw her drop out of the world’s top 50. Speaking to New Zealand’s Radio Sport, Leadbetter said: "Her parents have a lot to answer for – a case of unbelievable ignorance. I'm angry, I'm sad because to me I know what she's capable of doing. And to see her play like this, it's just very sad to see. I think her parents need to sort of let her go and do her thing.
“She's 21-22 years of age now. She could control her own career. She should know what's best for her. She's not a 12-year-old anymore. So they need to let her go, let her fly, let her leave the nest so to speak and find her own way. If she can do that, I mean, yeah, we could see Lydia back."
Now 25, Ko has undoubtedly recovered some of her best form under Foley. She is currently leading the Rolex Player of the Year race and finished in the top 10 in three of the year’s five Majors. However, it hasn't been enough for the relationship to continue. Following the announcement, Ko’s sister and manager Sura explained to Golfweek that she had been working with another former coach, Ted Oh, but only on an informal basis at the present time.
-
RBC Heritage Prize Money Payout 2025Scottie Scheffler defends his title at Harbour Town in the latest of the PGA Tour’s signature events
-
The Last Time Rory McIlroy Won A Major (Prior To The 2025 Masters)....We wind the clock back to the year 2014, when Rory McIlroy was the heir-apparent to Tiger Woods
-
Callaway REVA Rise: New Women's Clubs Unleashed!Callaway has released REVA Rise, the latest evolution of the Reva line of clubs designed specifically for women
-
Carla Bernat Escuder Narrowly Beats Asterisk Talley To Augusta National Women's Amateur TitleCarla Bernat Escuder became the first Spaniard to win the Augusta National Women's Amateur
-
Augusta National Women's Amateur Final Round Tee Times 2025Defending champion Lottie Woad and USA's Kiara Romero will start as co-leaders in the final group of the Augusta National Women's Amateur on Saturday
-
Defending Champion Lottie Woad In Prime Position For ANWA Title Defence As Several Big Names Miss The CutHeading into the final round at Augusta National Golf Club, England's Lottie Woad co-leads the field 12 months on from her dramatic comeback victory
-
Augusta National Women’s Amateur Winners: Where Are They Now?The Augusta National Women's Amateur was first played in 2019 and, since then, a number of the tournament's winners have gone on to forge superb careers
-
Augusta National Women's Amateur 2025 Tee Times - Round OneLottie Woad returns to defend her Augusta National Women's Amateur title, with the Amateur World No.1 getting her first round underway alongside Amateur World No.2 Jasmine Koo
-
Rianne Malixi Withdraws From Augusta National Women's Amateur With Back InjuryRianne Malixi had been among the favorites going into the Augusta National Women's Amateur, but the US Women’s Amateur champion has been forced to withdraw due to injury
-
How To Watch Augusta National Women’s Amateur: Live Streams, TV Channels, ScheduleThis year will be the sixth running of the event, with 23 nationalities competing and with the final round played around Augusta National's iconic course.
