December 23, 2013: New Zealand’s teenager Lydia Ko’s long-time coach Guy Wilson is “incredibly disappointed”, after the teenager decided to split ways with him. Wilson has been her coach for 11 years since she was five.
Wilson confirmed he had been sacked by world no. 4 Ko after she signed with management giant IMG this month. She turned pro in October this year.
[highlight] When I first met her the golf clubs were taller than she was and she didn’t know the first thing about a driver or a putter, but now she has one of the most envied swings of the women’s golf world, said Wilson [/highlight]
“When I first met her the golf clubs were taller than she was and she didn’t know the first thing about a driver or a putter, but now she has one of the most envied swings of the women’s golf world,” Wilson said in a statement.
He said he wished the 16-year-old the best in “what I’m sure will be a hugely successful golfing career”.
“While I’m incredibly disappointed that our 11-year partnership is over, I respect Lydia and her team’s decision,” Wilson said.
“Lydia’s consistent and outstanding performance is the ultimate payback for any coach and it has been truly wonderful working with someone with her talent, dedication and focus.”
The New Zealander of South Korean origin, Ko won her first event as a professional in Taiwan this month after a stellar amateur career, which included becoming the youngest player to win a pro tournament, at just 14.
She will reportedly work with British coach David Leadbetter, who also has Ko’s IMG stablemate Michelle Wie on his books.
Ko’s success has generated a wave of hype that has seen Time magazine name her as one of the world’s most influential teens, although pundits have also praised her grounded attitude, attributing it partly to the team around her.
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- Pros
- Women
- guy wilson
- img
- india golf
- lydia ko
