LPGA Star, Who Alleged Poor Treatment Over Form, Gets Lydia Ko’s Strong Backing: ‘She Works Hard’
At Lake Nona Golf & Country Club, the rhythm of professional golf plays out daily. Players cross paths on practice greens. They share gym sessions in the early hours. Former World No. 1 Lydia Ko observes this routine with keen interest. Meanwhile, her recent words about fellow pro Leona Maguire carry special weight in the golf world.
The Irish star’s journey through 2023 tells a story of resilience through adversity. Her world ranking plummeted from 10th to 54th. She managed just one top-10 finish on the LPGA Tour, down from six the previous year. Additionally, her putting statistics dropped significantly. She fell to 57th on Tour, losing nearly five shots per tournament on the greens. The majors proved particularly challenging. She missed three out of five cuts despite holding a 54-hole lead at the KPMG PGA Championship. Yet amid these setbacks, Maguire persevered. She captured a historic win at the Aramco Series in London, becoming the first Irish winner on the Ladies European Tour. The victory showcased her fighting spirit during a testing season.
But beyond the tournament results and statistics, a different story unfolds at Lake Nona, where daily interactions reveal the true measure of a champion’s character.
