Lydia Ko is, in some ways, an old soul. She can be silly and carefree, lip-syncing with tour friends like Danielle Kang. She can flaunt a Minion onesie (recently given to her by Paula Creamer) like a rockstar. But when it comes down to what’s most important, Ko has the perspective of someone twice her age. It’s perhaps the most impressive part of the prodigious package.
The 18-year-old’s record-setting 10th career LPGA Tour victory at the Fubon LPGA Taiwan on Sunday was an inspired performance. Earlier in the week, the Kiwi had learned of the death of former New Zealand Golf President Patsy Hankins, someone Ko considered a mentor during her junior career.