Lydia Ko turns to yoga in bid to improve her game

LPGA Tour

Lydia Ko is hoping the addition of yoga to her fitness regime will help her return to the top of the world rankings.

Having enjoyed a lengthy period as World No 1, the 21-year-old Kiwi currently finds herself down in 14th place after a disappointing run of results in 2018.

Ko believes an hour’s yoga per day will improve her physical and mental conditioning, and might help her get back to the top of the pile.

“I love that one hour of getting your mind away from everything and not worrying about what’s going on around,” Ko said ahead of the start of this week’s ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open in Adelaide.

“I’ve been enjoying it and flexibility hasn’t been one of the key points of my body and that’s been helping too.”

Ko said she began practicing yoga in December.

“I do it not only for the physical side but the mental side, just meditation.

“During that time of day we’re either on our phones or out playing golf or talking. You don’t have much time for yourself to have peace and quiet in your mind.”

Ko, whose best finish at the Australian Open was a runner-up showing back in 2016, faces a very strong field in Adelaide that includes current No 1 Ariya Jutanugarn, No 7 Minjee Lee, No 8 Georgia Hall and No 10 and defending champion Jin Young Ko.

“There are some long holes, some shorter holes where you can reach the par-fives,” she said of the Grange course.

“I love the variety of holes and this course, it doesn’t suit one type of player, shorter hitter or longer hitter. That makes it really interesting. It’s nice to play a golf course where you feel comfortable and you know you can play well.”

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