Lydia Ko, teacher David Leadbetter split after 3 years

The changes in Lydia Ko’s professional life have been coming in rapid succession in recent months, with another revealed on Wednesday. Ko has fired instructor David Leadbetter after 3 years, looking for a new instructor after working at his Leadbetter Academy since turning pro.

Leadbetter made the announcement on Twitter, saying, in part, “Lydia is not only an exceptional player, but also an exceptional person. She is a perfect role model for any young golfer to follow on how to conduct oneself on the golf course, interact with the public, and give back to the game. Lydia has been an absolute pleasure to coach and she felt the staff at the Leadbetter Golf Academy Headquarters at Champions Gate has been like an extended family to her.”

The Florida-based golf teacher, who began working with Ko in November 2013 after the 19-year-old left long-time teacher Guy Wilson, told Golf Channel he believes the change was influenced by Ko’s parents.

“My parting words to Lydia were that I think she needs to take control of her life and her golf game,” Leadbetter said. “She’s the No. 1 player in the world. She isn’t 15 anymore; she’s nearly 20. Her parents have done a great job bringing her up and getting her to a certain level, but she is old enough now to where she should be making her own decisions.”

This change follows a decision by Ko in October to part ways with caddie Jason Hamilton, who had been the only true steady looper she’s had in her professional career. She is also reportedly set to change equipment companies in 2017, moving to PXG from Callaway Golf, according to Golf Digest.

So why all the changes? It’s hard to explain after a four-win season that included a second major championship in April at the ANA Inspiration. However, after winning the Marathon Classic in Ohio in July, Ko didn’t post a single top-five finish in her remaining nine starts. She missed out on Player of the Year honors and a third-consecutive Race to the CME Globe points title.

Ko was apparently making changes in that final stretch of the LPGA season, getting away from the steep-to-shallow swing Leadbetter instilled and returning with a move closer to the move she had when working with Wilson. That may be for good reason, too. After two successful seasons of ballstriking with Leadbetter, Ko struggled by her standards this year, leaning on her impeccable short game to save her through bad stretches.

Now without a caddie and leaning on her father for short-term instruction advice, Ko will enter 2017 at the most tumultuous time of her young, accomplished career.

Devil Ball Golf – Golf – Yahoo Sports

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