Lydia Ko

A lot has changed for Lydia Ko since her first AIG Women’s Open experience at St Andrews.

After winning the Smyth Salver in 2012, Ko arrived at the Old Course with high expectations a year later but, by her own admission, her focus turned to ‘survival’ amid gruelling conditions which even forced a suspension to play during round three.

She also recognises that she was perhaps too young to appreciate the enormity of the occasion, only the second AIG Women’s Open held at the venerable links.

“When I was 16 playing here, I was like, ‘Why are all these people taking their photos? What are they going to do with it,” Ko reflected on the eve of the 2024 Championship.

“As I've gotten a little older, I'm able to appreciate that these are the things that make it.”

Ko didn’t just stop for a quick snap on the Swilcan Bridge this time round, she summoned her whole team for a photo at one of golf’s most iconic landmarks.

Aware that each visit could be her last, she is determined to soak up every moment of the St Andrews experience.

“When I came here in 2013 I remember I visited the castle and did all the touristy things,” she said.

“I’ve got family here this week so we’ve been ticking off all the restaurants with high reviews and you’ve got to have fish and chips as well.

“A lot of things off the course revolve around food for me, it really excites me. I want to enjoy the little things.”

Her attitude to the course has changed over the last decade too, and more recently than one might expect.

“When we played at Muirfield, we played in heavy rain, it was very windy but I thought you know what, not hitting a stock 7-iron 150 yards is okay sometimes,” she said.

“It might only go 100 yards and it’s funny in ways, it becomes a little lighter out there.

“Muirfield was a time where I stepped off after the Women’s Open and thought I really enjoyed that and it’s been more and more fun since.

“Before, I got more frustrated that it was windy and rainy. I love how you have to be creative when you play links golf, numbers are sometimes very irrelevant.”

It seems strange to hear a former world number one and two-time major winner play down the importance of numbers, especially given Ko’s penchant for smashing records.

She claimed her latest slice of golf history earlier this month, becoming the first player in the modern era to achieve all three medals at three different Olympic Games.

Despite a magical career which she could scarcely have dreamed of, there are still times when Ko’s relationship with golf is put to the test.

“Some days, it's hate, hate, hate, and other days, I could kiss my putter,” said Ko.

“I have walked off the golf course with tears in my eyes from joy and from frustration and I think that just shows how deeply invested we are.

“Golf is my life. As much as I want to separate it, I can't.

“When I was younger, I used to always think about the negative things of why can't I go to school camp with the other kids; why do I have to go to practice after school.

“All those moments, they have led me to the journey and the place I am right now. I've had my fair share of emotional up-and-downs, but that's just part of it.”

Ko will hope the latest high comes this week, as she seeks to end an eight-year wait for a major.

But unlike in years gone by, Ko will not be too downbeat if things don’t go her way.

“Sometimes we get carried away about who won, how many years it's been,” she added.

“I think it's difficult. As players, we're trying to work to be at the highest level at that time, sometimes it just doesn't go that way.

“No matter what, I'm so proud to be a major champion. I know that not all golfers have the opportunity to even say that.”