Conquering Her Demons

'Proudest moment' for Ko was getting over the self-doubt during 2023 slump

- Melvyn Teoh

For newly minted HSBC Women's World Championship victor Lydia Ko, her "proudest moment" was not about winning titles, but to overcome her self-doubt and to believe again.

The 27-year-old golfer had suffered a slump in 2023, when she failed to win a single title in 20 starts on the LPGA Tour and earned just US$247,335 (S$332,500) in prize money, the lowest since she became a professional in 2013.

"When things aren't going well, you kind of wonder if you're ever going to be back in the winner's circle," Ko told The Straits Times at fashion brand Hugo Boss' latest store in Takashimaya Shopping Centre on March 3.

"In 2023, I was struggling a lot, and I wasn't even shooting under par for a couple of months. So it wasn't even the point of me winning or not, but just me just being in contention and just playing consistent golf.

"There were a lot of questions in my head, but I was able to overcome that and pretty much rise at the most important time – the Olympics."

"When things don't go your way, you start wondering about what the future is going to look like. But to be able to overcome those doubts internally was probably one of my proudest moments," added Ko, who took part in a question-and-answer session besides signing autographs and posing for photographs with the 60 people who attended.