Lydia Ko during a practice round for the British Women’s Open. Photo: photosport
Lydia Ko describes the prospect of retirement as "scary" as she prepares to tee off at the home of golf - the St Andrews Old Course - in her latest stab at a women's major title.
Fresh from her gold medal at the Paris Olympics, interest has turned to just how long 27-year-old New Zealander Ko will stay with the sport.
She has long said she wanted to become eligible for the LPGA Hall of Fame before she considered putting away her clubs.
The Hall of Fame goal was ticked off when she climbed to the top spot of the Olympic podium this month - adding gold to silver and bronze won at the two previous Games.
It's why journalists were quick to ask about Ko's playing future at a press conference on the eve of the British Women's Open in Fife, Scotland.
She would only say hanging up her clubs isn't in her immediate future.
"It's exciting, what's ahead, but in a way it's scary. I've played golf since I was five. This is my life whether I like it or not. Golf has given me so much to be thankful for. I think it's not an easy decision but I know I have a great support team and family that's so supportive," she said.
"I've always said that while I'm competitively playing, I want to play at the highest level I possibly can and continuously work hard with my team to become a better, more consistent player. So that's the goal right now.
"You know, it's kind of been, go, go, go since the Olympics, so I haven't really had a lot of time to think about everything. I don't want to rush into any decisions. You know, this is definitely not my last press conference or anything like that."
Ko revealed her gold medal was wrapped up in a towel, inside a backpack in her hotel room.
New Zealand's gold medallist Lydia Ko celebrates on the podium after the women's golf event at the Paris Olympics. Photo: AFP/PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU
She hadn't had a chance to reflect fully on her Paris triumph, having turned her attention quickly to last week's ninth placing at the Scottish Open - a solid warmup for the last major of the year.
It's eight years since world No.12 Ko clinched the last of her two major titles and she hasn't finished in the top-10 of a major for two years.
However, a solid season this year and newly-formed appreciation for links courses has her confident she can make a challenge when she tees off her first round at the US$9.5 million (NZ$15.4 million) tournament at 11.26pm on Thursday (NZT).
"I haven't played particularly well in links golf in my 11 or so appearances that I've played," she said.
"But there's always a time for a change and it would be great to have one of my best finishes here.
"I've gotten to love links golf over the years. I think before I was always frustrated it was windy and rainy - and all of those things combined. Conditions are a big factor in how our rounds are played.
"Sometimes you have to be very creative when you play links golf - sometimes numbers are irrelevant."
Ko's first taste of St Andrews Old Course came at the 2013 British Open, she admits she was "quickly humbled" by the challenge as a 16-year-old.
Lydia Ko at the 2013 British Women's Open at St Andrews. Photo: photosport
"I must say I don't have a lot of memory - I was just trying to survive the wind and the conditions at the time.
"Obviously it's great to be here, this is the home of golf, it's kind of like a bucket list place for a lot of people.
