HONDA LPGA THAILAND

February 22, 2023

Lydia Ko

Siam Country Club Pattaya, Old Course

Press Conference

Q. Beth Ann is just curious, obviously made a caddie change this year. What do you like so much about David?

LYDIA KO: Even though we're like officially starting thing year, I think he was I guess the only caddie that I worked with like because of whatever reasons. Like in between, like whether it was COVID or I just wasn't working with anyone at the time.

So, yeah, it didn't feel like a new person completely. Obviously that makes the transition easier. Yeah, he played before, so he has that I think player mindset, and he's pretty positive and I just know that we -- I just liked him as a person.

I knew he was working with other players, and, you know, the opportunity came up where he was available, so that's why I just decided to, yeah.

Q. So that was kind of the reason for the change?

LYDIA KO: Yeah. Yeah, and I -- yeah, I don't think -- I obviously had a great couple years with Derek, so it's always I think tough to make a transition, especially when things are going well.

But I also had a win with Dave, so I knew it was something that we could do. Like we've had that chemistry. I've been in that position before with him so it didn't -- you know, I already had the confidence that I could be winning tournaments with him.

I obviously won last week, so it's definitely a good start, yeah.

Q. Nothing wrong with that. Let's talk a little bit Mrs. Did you go to New Zealand on your honeymoon?

LYDIA KO: Yes, yeah.

Q. So was there an ace that happened?

LYDIA KO: Yeah, made a hole in one think on the second hole at Tara Iti Golf Club, and I broke the women's course record there, so it was a pretty good day at the office.

We played a lot of golf on our honeymoon. It's one of the mutual things that we both enjoy doing and can do together, so we played a lot of golf. And then I got a hole in one, and I think that might have been my first hole in one like outside of a competition, too. So really couldn't have been my better, yeah.

Q. Good omen for the marriage, I'm sure.

LYDIA KO: Yeah.

Q. So about Saudi last week. Was your coach there?

LYDIA KO: Yeah, Ted.

Q. So Ted was out there. What did you all work on when you were out there that maybe helped you to victory? Was there anything in particular that you were really honing in on?

LYDIA KO: Yeah, we honestly have been working on the same thing since we started working together last year, so nothing new.

You know, I think you kind of want to keep working on the same things, and I feel like we're moving in the right direction that way.

So, yeah, it's nothing new. Just probably what I said last year is probably what I'm working on right now.

Q. Obviously the first win as a Mrs. I've heard some people this week have been like, Lydia is just so good. How cool does it feel to get your 2023 underway, get the first win as a Mrs. and also just to get that win early?

LYDIA KO: Yeah, winning the second event of the year last year was the earliest I had won any event. You know, even though you have such a good year and winning the last event, like CME is technically three months ago, so things can change over like three days.

So definitely in three months, like you want to be continuing on this good momentum, but that momentum is already stopped when the season is done.

So when I was going into the last week I didn't know whether I was going to like play great or not. Obviously it's a course that I played well at before so you're able to draw back on a lot of good memories.

But getting off to a really good start shooting 8-under on the first day was definitely really a good confidence booster to say, hey, there is a lot of things that are going really well.

I putted really well last week, and I think that was kind of the key for me to be able to win. I'm playing three weeks in a row and then taking a week off and then playing another one, so hopefully I can continue that good momentum and not take anything for granted. You know, I've been very thankful about the things that have happened in my life both on and off the golf course, and I think a lot of great things has happened and it's actually helped me to like just kind of have more fun out here.

At the end of the day I know it's my job, but might as well do it while having fun.