Lydia Ko was just 17 when she planned her retirement. “I always say my plan is to retire when I’m 30 so I’m not just going to go to the beach and hang out for the rest of my life,” the New Zealander golf pro said back in 2015. 9 years later, during the first half of 2024, Ko found herself struggling with her form and wondering if it was actually to call it a career. But despite retirement knocking on her door, there was one goal she couldn’t walk away from—winning an Olympic medal. And through it all, standing firmly by her side was someone who never let her lose sight of that dream.

At the start of 2023, Ko announced her split with caddie Derek Kistler without disclosing any reason. After this split, Kistler started caddying PGA pros like Cameron Champ and Lanto Griffin. And Lydia? Well, the New Zealander golfer hired David Jones, someone she already had worked with in the past. But this combination also did not last as after she won the Aramco Saudi Ladies International, Ko had to change her caddie once again in 2023. But this time, she hit a jackpot by hiring Paul Cormack.

Cormack, who himself was a golfer earlier, was not unfamiliar with Ko’s potential. All he needed was to push her and start believing in her when she was down. “I don’t think I am any better than any other caddies, but I maybe just instilled a little bit of belief in her. That’s all I’ve ever said to her really. Everybody out here is good enough to win a golf tournament, but it’s difficult if you don’t believe in yourself. When she gets close to the lead, she normally wins,” Cormack said.

As we know, in a stunning turnaround, Ko not only rediscovered her confidence but also went on to win the Olympics and AIG Women’s Open, becoming the youngest member of the LPGA Hall of Fame in the process. With her career revitalized, Ko now eyes another LPGA victory at the HBSC Women’s World Championship as she currently leads the chart.

A win tomorrow would earn Lydia Ko a title and a $360,000 prize, moving her past Aussie golfer Karrie Webb, to a higher spot on the All-Time Career Money List. This impressive feat would leave Ko just $1,988,588 shy of legendary golfer Annika Sorenstam’s record, setting the stage for an exciting chase for the top spot. But before she wins, Ko made sure to give the credit where it’s due.

While talking about her experience, among many things, at the HSBC Women’s World Championship press conference, Ko revealed the real star behind her on-course success. When asked about her caddie Paul Cormack, being awarded Caddie of the Year, Ko jokingly attributed the win to her own vote, saying, “I told him he was chosen because I voted for him; obviously my one vote.” Jokes aside, she also went on to express her heartfelt gratitude for having him by her side. Ko praised her caddie for his unwavering support throughout her career, particularly during the tough times when she wasn’t playing her best golf.

“He started working for me at a time where I wasn’t playing very well, so to see how far we’ve come together, it’s been a really proud moment for us,” Ko said. She emphasized that her caddie is an integral part of her support team, and she’s thankful to have him alongside her as she navigates the ups and downs of her career. “They are people that I want to finish my career with, and thankful to be surrounded by them,” Ko added.

Well, the amazing thing is that she isn’t the only one grateful, as the bagman shares the same sentiments when it comes to Ko.

Paul Cormack says being Lydia Ko’s caddie was a ‘no-brainer’

Paul Cormack, the man behind Lydia Ko’s bag, has been the unsung hero of her recent success. As Ko’s caddie for almost a year now, Cormack has played a pivotal role in her victories, including her thrilling win at the AIG Women’s Open at St Andrews. In hindsight, Ko has been full of praise for Cormack’s positive attitude and his wealth of experience playing golf in Scotland, which has proven to be a game-changer in her performance. With Cormack by her side, Ko has regained her confidence and found her winning form, leaving fans and pundits alike in awe of their winning partnership.

“I was working for Kevin Chappel on the PGA Tour, and he was maybe only going to play two or three events in the fall. Lydia called and asked if I would start working for her after Walton Heath last year. It was a no-brainer, and I started with her the following week in Canada. If you turned that down, you’d be an idiot!” Cormack told The Scotsman.

Cormack also acknowledged that he’s learned a lot from Ko, saying, “Everybody out here is good enough to win a golf tournament, but it’s difficult if you don’t believe in yourself. When she gets close to the lead, she normally wins.” Well, the way the duo talks about each other, it is clear that they share a common respect and admiration. What are your thoughts on the amazing duo, and will you miss them once Ko retires? Let us know in the comment section below!