Newly married Lydia Ko contending in Saudi Arabia
Lydia Ko – photo Ladies European Tour
Perhaps ironically, the ladies don’t appear to be copping as much flack as the men by playing in Saudi Arabia this week, the US$5 million Aramco Saudi Ladies International Presented by Public Investment Fund, at the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club in the KAEC in Saudi now at the halfway stage.
Despite the fact the Ladies European Tour event is playing for their biggest purse and for similar funding to that on offer by LIV Golf, there appears no protesting by those who have found the involvement by Saudi money in the men’s game so distasteful.
India’s Aditi Ashok has the lead by two over New Zealand’s Lydia Ko and American Lilia Vu. Ashok’s final nine of 29 included a final hole eagle to complete a stunning finish to her round.
Recently married, Ko was asked about her mindset now that she is no longer a single woman.
“I think for me, especially at the end of last year as I was getting closer to the D-Day of getting married,” said Ko.
“I was like, man, I literally have found my best friend. I’m going to get married to the person I love the most and everything else was going to be a bonus.
“So I think that mindset really helped when I was playing, because no matter if I shot 85, 75, 65, or 55, I knew that the man of my dreams was going to be there and support me. I think that was such a like easier mindset to go out there and play and just focus on my game and just have fun and not let golf dictate who I am and how I perceive myself.
“So it’s kind of the mindset right now. I think I’m very grateful about the things that have happened in the last few months on and off the golf course, so I’m trying to ride the good rhythm. It’s been so long since CME. I wasn’t sure how it was going to be. Playing really solid yesterday helped with the nerves, and I’m excited for a fun maybe just as breezy weekend.”
Ko won this event or its equivalent in 2021.
Sydney’s Stephanie Kyriacou, the only other Australasian to make the weekend is tied for 29th at 3 under and 10 from the lead.
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