Last year at the Dow Championship, Lydia Ko and Danielle Kang cried when they made the cut.
“It wasn’t that we were so happy we made the cut,” explained Kang. “We cried because we didn’t want the week to end.”
The two longtime friends – they call each other sisters – are together again this year in Midland, Michigan. After one of the most grueling weeks of the year at the KPMG Women’s PGA, players head to Midland Country Club for a team event that’s never short on fun.
While Kang, 32, is the older of the two, she calls 28-year-old Ko her “anchor” and “bright light.”
“At this point in our career. I think I would have to thank Lydia for how far I’ve come I guess,” said Kang. “There is not much I can explain what goes on behind the scenes, but, I don’t know, it’s been a lot. Lydia has been my rock for years now at this point. … I can’t even be like, I’m playing for Lydia this week. No, Lydia is playing for me this week. I’m really thankful for that. I know she has a busy month coming up.”
While Ko has enjoyed a fairy-tale year since the last Dow, winning Olympic gold, a major championship at the Old Course and getting into the LPGA Hall of Fame in the process, Kang’s still searching. In 11 starts this season, her best finish is a share of 54th at the ShopRite. Ko even caddied for her at a U.S. Women’s Open 36-hole qualifier, where Kang came up short.
“I think when we’re not playing as good, we think that we’ve lost it, but – which I felt that so much, too,” said Ko.
“But I think once you’ve had it it’s really never gone. It’s just about bringing it back.”
The field of 72 teams includes 2024 champions Jeeno Thitikul and Ruoning Yin, ranked Nos. 2 and 4 in the world, respectively. The first and third rounds features an alternate shot format while the second and final rounds will be played in best ball.
The winning team will split $805,382 and receive a standard two-year exemption on the LPGA priority list. Other teams of note include Solheim Cup stars Lexi Thompson and Megan Khang and Japanese twins Chisato and Akie Iwai.
Ko looks back on the Dow and the success that followed and believes it marked a huge kind of “reset” for her last season.
They’re hoping for more of the same this week.
“The best part of me comes out when I’m playing with her,” said Kang, “so I’m excited to play fun, happy golf.”
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