Lydia Ko Becomes Youngest Ever World Golf Number One

Ko's Reward for Becoming World No. 1

OCALA, Fla. - Lydia Ko’s big reward for becoming the world No. 1?

“I’m just excited that we can actually drive home tonight. We can drive home. It’s really cool to have a Saturday finish,” Ko said.

It’d be easy for the No. 1 to change the seemingly unflappable Ko but no one that’s gotten to know her over the last two years on Tour sees that happening to this seemingly otherworldly 17-year-old.

“I think she’s kind of starting to figure it out that there’s a lot more that goes on, but she’s still pretty naïve at 17 and I don’t see this changing her too much or changing her outlook,” former World No. 1 Stacy Lewis said. “She might be a little bit busier, but I don’t see Lydia changing too much.”

In most pros mind, this was only a matter of time. Even at 17.

“Doesn’t surprise me. She’s very talented,” Cristie Kerr said. “It will be interesting to see how she handles it. I’ll be watching just as much as you. I’m going to be chasing her down this year. I’m going to try, anyways.”

Added Lewis: “It’s history. It’s never been done. I can’t say I’m surprised. It was just a matter of time. She’s playing some great golf right now and she’s confident. She’s rolling in putts and it’s good. She’s a good kid and a good person to see at the top of the world.”

Both Kerr and Lewis have held the No. 1 perch and had a simple heads up for Ko about the most difficult aspect of being No. 1.

“Staying there. To maintain that level of play for a long period of time. Tiger did it forever, Lorena. See what happens,” Kerr said.

Added Inbee Park, who Ko is projected to take the No. 1 ranking from: “I mean, just the thought that everybody’s behind you and trying to catch you. And you have to play well every week, that’s obviously hard to do.”

But when pros are asked to describe her game, it’s hard to imagine her not at least battling for the No. 1 ranking for a long time.

“She’s probably the most straightest player out on the Tour, and obviously she can roll the putts in. So, I mean, the golf gets easier from there if you hit the ball straight and you can roll the ball in,” Park said. “I heard she’s putting even better than last year, so that’s going to be really tough to beat.”

Added Kerr” She’s way wise beyond her years.”

Kerr pointed to the CME Group Tour Championship when Ko won the tournament and the Race to the CME Globe for the biggest prize in women’s golf history as the time she realized this was a 17-year-old going on 30 on the golf course.

“She not only won the CME and a million and a half was on the line and it didn't even look like she cared, you know,” Kerr said.

Kerr was then asked if she’d ever seen Ko rattled, and ended the interview with a classic response.

“Her? Not yet but she hasn’t lived that long,” she said with a laugh.

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