Career Grand Slam still on Lydia Ko's mind as US Open looms

RNZ News

5 days ago

Lydia Ko hits a tee shot on the fifth hole during the second round of the Ford Championship in Chandler, Arizona, 29 March 2025.
Photo:
AFP
Lydia Ko with the trophy after winning the HSBC Women's Championship golf tournament at Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore.
Photo:
AFP / Roslan Rahman
Dame Lydia Ko admits the prospect of achieving a career grand slam is providing some motivation as she seeks a landmark fourth golf major.
The Kiwi and third-ranked woman is vying for a first ever win at the US Open which begins overnight (NZT) at Erin Hills, Wisconsin.
A fourth major trophy and 24th LPGA tour win for the 28-year-old would see her become just the eighth woman to complete a career grand slam.
A career grand slam on the LPGA Tour is when a player wins four of the five major championships over the course of a career.
Dame Lydia is one major away following victories at the Evian Championship (2015), the Chevron Championship (2016) and last year's Women's Open at St Andrews.
Speaking to media before the tournament, Dame Lydia suggested the window to achieve the feat was not getting any bigger.
"I'm probably going to have less chances at playing these majors, than how many I've played so far ," she said.
"As long I'm playing I think it's always good to have a goal so that when I'm working on things I'm always going forward and not trying to think 'oh I did this so like who cares'.
"It's just more to keep myself more motivated."
Her previous best performance at the championship was back in 2016 when she finished the tournament in a tie for third with four-under.
Last year she failed to make the cut.
The championship at Erin Hills is one of two potential opportunities for Dame Lydia to make history.
Should she not win at the US Open, a career grand slam could still be achieved if she plays in next month's Women's PGA Championship.
Dame Lydia could also win a golden slam if she could knock off the two remaining majors, to go alongside her gold medal at last year's Paris Olympics.
Although she admits the accolades and silverware have kept her hungry, there would be no regrets if she did not get there.
"Even if I never win a US Women's Open, I don't think I'm going to wake up from my sleep and go 'I never won,'" she said.
"I'm obviously very proud of the things that have happened. I would be over the moon to come off with a trophy. But I don't think it's going to connect me more so to my identity later on."
One thing in her favour in her bid for more golfing exploits is she has been unshackled from the pressures of reaching the LPGA Hall of Fame.
"I think getting in the Hall of Fame and winning the gold at the Olympics, I think there was an internal handcuff that I had put on myself," she said.
"Whether it was pressure, or expectations. I think with all that being done, I think I was able to play with a lot more freedom. I think that was a clear case at St Andrews where I was just enjoying being there and enjoying the town.
"I think those things have made me feel a little bit more relaxed on the golf course."