The shadows of retirement loom large as New Zealand’s golf prodigy, Lydia Ko, battles her form. At 27, she found herself wrestling with the idea of hanging her clubs and calling it a career. But in an awe-inspiring comeback, Ko rekindled the spark that once made her a teenage sensation, winning both the Olympics and the AIG Women’s Open in 2024. She not only became the youngest member of the LPGA Hall of Fame but also now sets her sight on conquering the HBSC Women’s World Championship, where she currently tops the leaderboard.
A victory here could add another feather to her cap, a title, and a hefty $360,000 prize. This will catapult her past Australian golfer Karrie Webb in the All-Time Career Money List. The New Zealander, if successful, will be inching closer to the record held by the iconic Annika Sorenstam with just $1,988,588 separating them. As the anticipation builds for the chase to the top spot, Ko pauses to pay tribute to an unsung hero behind her success.
During the HSBC Women’s World Championship press conference, Ko unmasked the secret weapon behind her on-the-green triumphs. She heaped praise on her caddie, Paul Cormack, who was recently named Caddie of the Year. The golfer humorously attributed this win to her vote, stating, “I told him he was chosen because I voted for him; obviously my one vote.” Beyond jesting, she expressed sincere gratitude for his steadfast support during her career, especially when her game hit rock bottom.
Cormack joined her team at a time when she was grappling with her game. Reflecting on their journey together, Ko said, “He started working for me at a time where I wasn’t playing very well, so to see how far we’ve come together, it’s been a really proud moment for us.” She underscored the significant role he plays in her support system and expressed her gratitude for his presence through the highs and lows of her career.
Interestingly, the appreciation is mutual. Cormack, often referred to as the silent force behind Ko’s recent victories, shares the golfer’s sentiments. Having been Ko’s caddie for nearly a year now, he has been instrumental in her victories, one of the most notable being the AIG Women’s Open at St Andrews.
Reflecting on his association with Ko, Cormack said, “I was working for Kevin Chappel on the PGA Tour, and he was maybe only going to play two or three events in the fall. Lydia called and asked if I would start working for her after Walton Heath last year. It was a no-brainer, and I started with her the following week in Canada. If you turned that down, you’d be an idiot!”
Candidly, Cormack admits to learning a lot from Ko, stating, “Everybody out here is good enough to win a golf tournament, but it’s difficult if you don’t believe in yourself. When she gets close to the lead, she normally wins.” The mutual respect and admiration between the pair is palpable. As the duo continues to make waves, we can’t help but wonder, will their magic be missed when Ko steps into retirement?
Let’s hear your thoughts on this exceptional duo and their journey in the world of golf. Share in the comments section below!
