Lydia Ko has axed long-term caddie Jason Hamilton ahead of this week’s Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia, with only two tournaments left in the Race to the CME Globe.


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Lydia Ko has axed long-term caddie Jason Hamilton ahead of this week’s Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia.

The World no. 1 has said that there was no animosity between the pair, who had worked together for two years, and will play this week with local caddie Sargunan Suntharaj on the bag.

Speaking to the media ahead of the tournament the nineteen-year-old said,

"I really think that some people might think I might have ended on bad terms with my former caddie, Jason. But no, I really enjoyed working with him the past few years. Actually, two years ago here was my first like official tournament with him full-time, so it's been a lot of fun," Ko said.

"But you know, I think sometimes change is a good thing, and you know, he's working with another great player, Ha Na Jang, who I think has won three times this year. So, all the best to that team, too."

Hamilton admitted that he was surprised to have been axed considering the history between the pair, but said that nothing surprised him when it came to caddie-player relationships.

Gary Williams, the former bagman of Sergio Garcia, is the favourite to get the job temporarily, although Ko has said that she won’t be rushing into any decision before the end of the season.

Having made her way through seven caddies before her eighteenth birthday, it is perhaps more surprising that she worked alongside Hamilton for so long, although the sudden nature of the decision, with only two more events before the end of the season, has raised a few eyebrows.

Steve Williams, the former caddie to Tiger Woods, suggested that his compatriot had rushed into the decision as a panicked response to her current position in the Race to the CME Globe, where she trails rival Ariya Jutanugarn.

He said, ‘’This is the first form slump she has had of any sort as a professional- and it’s only a slight form dip- and it doesn’t seem like a reason to release her caddie.’’

Together Ko and Hamilton has amassed two majors, 10 LPGA victories and an Olympic silver medal.

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