Lydia Ko, the New Zealand golfing star, faced a surprising early exit at the Evian Championship in July 2025, missing the cut for the second consecutive tournament of the season. Following this setback, Ko has decided to prioritize her preparation for the AIG Women’s Open, a major event starting July 31st at Royal Porthcawl in Wales, signaling a determined effort to stage a strong comeback.
This strategic shift marks a significant change in Ko’s competitive approach as she opts to skip the upcoming Women’s Scottish Open, focusing all her energy on defending her Women’s Open title. After a challenging stretch that included missed cuts at the Dow Championship and Evian, Ko is aiming to regain her form and composure on a course where she has previously excelled.
Lydia Ko’s Recent Performance Challenges and Response
Despite a solid start to the 2025 season, with two top ten finishes and a win at the HSBC Women’s Championship, Lydia Ko’s momentum faltered at the Evian Championship. There, she posted rounds of 73 and 74, falling three shots short of making the weekend cut. This disappointment was unexpected for a player of Ko’s caliber, especially since she won her first major at Evian in 2015.
The back-to-back missed cuts, including at the Dow Championship where she partnered with Danielle Kang, have prompted Ko to reconsider her schedule and training regimen. Rather than chasing continuous tournament play, Ko is taking time to regroup as she prepares for the season’s final major, focusing on mental and physical recovery.
Her social media message after Evian subtly reflected her feelings:
“Wish my golf was as beautiful as the views, bye for now Europe… see you in a few weeks”
—Lydia Ko, Professional Golfer. This suggested a quiet disappointment but also a readiness to shift focus swiftly toward upcoming challenges.
Choosing Quality Preparation Over Continuous Competition
By opting out of the Women’s Scottish Open, a typical warm-up event before the major, Ko demonstrates a clear prioritization of quality practice and strategic rest. This approach aligns with her recognition of the importance of peaking for the AIG Women’s Open, a tournament where she has previously demonstrated remarkable skill and composure.
Ko’s decision to invest time in focused preparation rather than enduring the physical and mental toll of consecutive tournaments highlights her maturity and tactical understanding of the season’s demands. The conditions at Royal Porthcawl, known for its challenging links-style layout and unpredictable weather, require precision and calm — qualities Ko has shown she can summon in major events.
Previous Success at the AIG Women’s Open
Lydia Ko’s history at the AIG Women’s Open adds to the anticipation surrounding her upcoming performance. Last year, she captured the title at the Old Course at St. Andrews, confirming her ability to thrive under major championship pressure on historic courses. This victory underlined Ko’s status as a formidable competitor in the women’s game.
Her experience on links-style courses and her record in majors indicate that Ko understands the significance of the AIG Women’s Open, not only as a prestigious tournament but also as an opportunity to reinforce her elite standing in women’s golf. With this major upcoming, Ko’s preparation will be crucial in determining whether she can convert her past success into another championship win.
Anticipating Lydia Ko’s Next Steps in the Major Season
The decision to concentrate entirely on the AIG Women’s Open rather than participate in the Women’s Scottish Open suggests a high level of intention from Ko’s team. This move may allow her to refine her game, manage her fitness, and develop a robust strategy tailored to the demands of Royal Porthcawl’s challenging layout.
Ko’s focused buildup to the final major of the season is also important for her career trajectory, as maintaining competitiveness in majors is critical for her rankings and future opportunities. This concentrated preparation phase could see Ko arrive at the AIG Women’s Open mentally refreshed and physically primed, increasing her chances of reclaiming the title.
Her recent setbacks have introduced an element of tension and introspection into her season, but also a spark of determination to end the year on a high note. Observers will be watching closely to see if Ko’s decision to emphasize focused major preparation pays dividends during the tournament’s demanding week.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Lydia Ko religious?
A. Just as crucial as Ko staying balanced is her deep Catholic faith. This faith helps her manage stress and keep things in perspective.
“Believing gives me confidence, peace, and a feeling of calm and comfort,” Ko explained.
Q. Is Lydia Ko’s husband a billionaire?
A. Lydia Ko shares the compromises her billionaire husband, Jun Chung, has made to support her.
Q. Has Lydia Ko lost weight?
A. Some years back, Lydie shed 15 pounds by adding cardio exercises to her routine. “For someone not doing any cardio, even a little helped a lot,” she mentioned to Golf Week. If you’re looking to boost your cardio, consider walking.
Q. Has Lydia Ko ever been married?
A. In her personal life, Ko got married to Chung Jun, son of Hyundai Card Vice Chairman Chung Tae-young, on December 30, 2022. Their wedding took place at Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul.