Lydia Ko has shot 8 birdies on her way to sharing the lead at 7-under after the first round of the Marathon LPGA Classic in Ohio.
At a course where her all-time average is 3-under 68, Ko showed renewed power that helped her reach 14 greens in regulation with a number of tap in birdies, including on the fifth hole where the ball hit the pin which allowed her to tap in.
“I hit a few shots that was really tap-in range,” Ko explained to the media after her round.
“So when you have three or four of those opportunities it definitely puts a little stress off the putter which was kind of the bit I was struggling with last week.”
During the break due to COVID-19 Ko worked hard on her game and changed coaches with Sean Foley now taking over the reins as he explained to NZ Golf Magazine.
Foley said he wanted her to go back down memory lane and remember when she was one of the best players in the world, for Ko that looks like she is finally getting that aggression back.
“For me being aggressive is like, even if I am playing safe, I’m still being aggressive and committed over that shot,” she said.
“I think that’s really important for me to be really committed and I’m hitting each shot with my 100 per cent authority and I know I hit it better that way.
“The confidence and being aggressive is something that I’m continuing to work on and is something that really helps me a lot out there.”
Late on the first day, Ko has tied for the lead with Danielle Kang on 7-under with Megan Khang a further shot back on 6-under.
