'That Time Of The Month' - Ko Praised For Talking About Period

The 25-year-old New Zealander responded candidly to a question about some on-course treatment

Lydia Ko hits a shot during the final round of the 2022 Palos Verdes Championship
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Lydia Ko has received praise for her candid response to a question about some on-course treatment she received at the LPGA Tour’s Palos Verdes Championship on Sunday.

During the New Zealander’s final round in California, physio Chris Wicker administered some physical therapy to the World No.3 before she went on to finish tied for third. After the tournament, male Golf Channel commentator Jerry Foltz asked Ko about the incident, and whether it was a concern going forward. Ko’s response was commendably honest. She said:

“I hope not. It’s that time of the month. I know the ladies watching are probably like, yeah, I got you. So, when that happens, my back gets really tight, and I’m all twisted. It’s not the first time that Chris has seen me twisted, but it felt a lot better after he came. So, yeah, there you go.” Foltz seemed lost for words, responding simply with, “thanks,” but Ko took it in her stride, saying: “I know you’re at a loss for words, Jerry. Honesty it is.” You can watch the video below. 

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The exchange drew praise from the world’s of sport and politics. ESPN journalist Zenia D’cunha posted on Twitter: “Good stuff from Lydia Ko. We should normalize women in sports talking about periods like this. It’s not an excuse or an embarrassment, it’s just a bodily function.” Meanwhile, New Zealand politician, Greens co-leader Marama Davidson, posted that period pain is definitely not acknowledged enough.” Others saw the lighter side of the exchange, with former Golf Channel anchor Lisa Cornwell posting: "@JerryFoltzGC had absolutely no idea how to follow up. My night (maybe year) has been made."

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American Marina Alex won the tournament, edging out South Korean Ko Jin-young by one shot, and finishing two ahead of Ko and Meghan Kang. Earlier in the week, 16-year-old Anna Davis made the cut on her LPGA debut. She eventually finished 70th.

Mike Hall
Writer

Mike has over 25 years of experience in journalism, including writing on a range of sports throughout that time, such as golf, football and cricket. Now a freelance staff writer for Golf Monthly, he is dedicated to covering the game's most newsworthy stories. 


He has written hundreds of articles on the game, from features offering insights into how members of the public can play some of the world's most revered courses, to breaking news stories affecting everything from the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to developmental Tours and the amateur game. 


Mike grew up in East Yorkshire and began his career in journalism in 1997. He then moved to London in 2003 as his career flourished, and nowadays resides in New Brunswick, Canada, where he and his wife raise their young family less than a mile from his local course. 


Kevin Cook’s acclaimed 2007 biography, Tommy’s Honour, about golf’s founding father and son, remains one of his all-time favourite sports books.