O(I)MG: 16-Year-Old Lydia Ko Dumps 11-Year Swing Coach
Barely a week removed from signing with IMG--eh, em--teenage sensation Lydia Ko has fired the only swing coach she'd known and according to her new agent, is in the market for a full-time swing coach.
From an unbylined AP report:
Guy Wilson, who has worked with the 16-year-old Ko for 11 years, issued a statement saying he was "incredibly disappointed" the partnership is over. Ko hasn't publicly commented on the decision.
Michael Yim, her agent at IMG, said Monday that Ko worked with various teachers at the Leadbetter Academy in Florida before going to Taiwan for the Swinging Skirts tournament, an event she won two weeks ago in her second start as a professional. Kim said Ko plans to meet with other teachers before deciding on a full-time coach.
Wilson goes on to make it clear he's not taking this too well.
Meanwhile, contrary to the statement made by her new agent about coach-shopping, Ko is believed to have decided upon David Leadbetter as her new coach.
Golf Channel Digital, master of breaking all the news that's fit to post without a living author's name attached, noted that fellow Golf Channel staffer Damon Hack tweeted of Ko's plan to work with David Leadbetter.
Hack's first Tweet:
Leadbetter on Lydia Ko: "She was with us for 3 days after Naples and liked what we worked on. Simple stuff." (cont)
— Damon Hack (@damonhackGC) December 23, 2013
And it seems Leadbetter is already taking credit for Ko's recent win in Taiwan:
Leadbetter on Lydia cont. "Must have worked. Went out and won Swinging Skirts the next week in Taiwan."
— Damon Hack (@damonhackGC) December 23, 2013
And GolfWRX's Ben Alberstadt says Ko is signing with Callaway.
Monday, December 23, 2013 at 12:43 AM
Reader Comments (68)
In 2005 he was the youngest ever Walker Cup player. Next year he turned pro, signed with IMG and ditched his long term coach.
Since then he's has won once on the Euro tour in CZ, but has also lost his Tour Card twice. Peter McEvoy picked him out in his autobiography as the brightest prospect he'd ever seen (and that includes Rory). Has seen a lot of coaches since.
http://mlyhlss.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-world-is-big-place-files-lydia-ko.html
And Lydia....you shouldn't sack people right before Christmas. Buy them a present, wait until Jan 2 and then sack them. Blame it on a New Year's resolution.
DM
Come on Lydia, say it ain't Ko.
http://mlyhlss.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-world-is-big-place-files-lydia-ko.html
She must have thought it would be too easy, so Ko has decided to make winning a bit tougher?
If I was Wilson, I would be gutted, but resigned. This was always on the cards.
Steve Williams calls it unethical. Steve Williams should pull his head in.
Happy Holidays Everyone!!
I would hope a good teacher works with the swing she has and hones it rather than overhauling it.
"There has been a downside to the culture Leadbetter and Faldo created. Nick wanted to know more, and David had the answers. Inadvertently, they created a culture of teaching the golf swing rather than how to play golf. They made it cool to practice the swing rather than practice golf. I stood there for hours trying to make "perfect" swings. But that was my fault for not being smart enough to figure out my mistakes."
Would be sad to see such a talent dissapear, but man o man, the track record for failur FAR exceeds success.
Wait and see.
BrianS and Metro make a valid point, most of her golf will be in the States, one would think. Did Guy Wilson think he would go Stateside with Lydia ? I couldn't answer that question. Thoughts anyone ?
http://www.tonyslpgareport.com/2013/12/surprises-disappointments-final-2013.html
Making a change now, when she is ready to become one of the very elite players on the LPGA tour, is a big mistake.
Choosing a coach that already ruined one young "elite player in the making," is an even bigger one.
New Zealanders are notorious for not chasing cash and settling for a nice life. Major innovators are often happy with two houses and a BMW and a boat and don't seek fortunes worldwide."
Colin MacGillivray
Exactly on her terms Colin.....I mean her parents terms. Unbelievable.
But I would echo Digs' comments. Only time will tell. Hopefully we do not see another case of "paralysis by analysis" that seems to happen with some of DL's students. That would be criminal if it happened to this marvelous young talent.
Go Lydia, we are all pulling for you kid!
Ha. Me likey.
Hey, Lydia if you want a peek into your David Leadbetter-designed future, I'm going to give you two words: Charles Howell.
Well, you had a nice career. While it lasted.
Two more words: Casey Wittenberg
Super hyped amateur, manufactured Leadbetter prodigy.
10 years later, best known for assisting Mr. Tiger with his heist of the 2013 Players Championship.
First, we all seem to know tha Leadbetter is a swing manufacturer. I'd like to know more about Guy Wilson's approach to the swing before I judge the coaching change, though its really hard to argue with her success-to-date.
Second, I heard (not read) a lot of chatter about how a 16 yr old will be missing her prom and is going to regret someday missing her childhood. Well, I kind of doubt that. Most 16 yr olds would change places with her in a nanosecond - to have that is rare talent and opportunity to continue to light the golf world on fire!
I'm with DTF on this - Lets see where all this goes and measure it all in a few short years
Lydia is very upset by how the parting of the ways with her coach has been reported. She will soon learn to ignore what the media report I hope. She wants a full time coach in the US where she will live and her NZ coach doesn't want to move there.
I really don't think she was pushed into turning pro, what was the alternative? She is not like any normal 16 year old she is a prodigy- like an orchestral soloist of the same age who "turn pro" or a geek who completes a PhD in Maths at University at 16 years old. Part of the deal is prodigies don't have normal childhood whatever their parents do to influence them.
I know for a fact Lydia was not pushed early in her career as a 3 handicap 9 year old and later as top amateur in NZ. I've talked to her mother at my own home in NZ when we lived there when Lydia was was one of hundreds of youngsters who showed promise. Can't see why the goalposts should move now.
How does the number 4 golfer in the world pay for playing in tournaments worldwide as an amateur? Include paying for her Mum.
At what age do you think it is acceptable for a young person to terminate their "childhood" and start working for a living?
How do you know that "she's doing this because they made that decision for her"? Please give us the source of your certainty. Omit all media reports- none are trustworthy.
All these young ladies will handle this transition from playing for trophies to playing for a living a little differently. A lot depends on how much their parents have 'pushed' them to grab the cash ASAP, and how much they need it.
Let's give Lydia time before we start calling foul on her parents. She seems mature beyond her years at this point. She obviously can handle the pressure of the competition. She appears cool, calm, and collective in the heat of battle. Much more mature than was Lexi or Michelle as the same point in their games against the world's best. Perhaps even more mature than was TW at same age.
I hope she continues to grow as a player - I look forward to watching this potential 'great player' to develop fully. She may be awesome and an all-time great. Who knows?