Lydia Ko's furry friend 'keeps an eye on things’ as she works on her swing during LPGA break

LPGA Tour Hall of Famer Lydia Ko is not going to be in the field for the 2025 Meijer LPGA Classic, which kicks off on June 12. However, she’s not staying away from the course but is working on her swing with popular golf coach Holton Freeman.

Ko is one of the most popular players on the LPGA Tour, with 23 victories on the circuit and eight victories on the Ladies European Tour. She has won three major championship titles, with her most recent being the 2024 Women’s British Open title.

On Wednesday, June 11, Holton Freeman shared a short video on Instagram showing Lydia Ko taking a shot on the greens. Ko’s adorable pet dog, Kai, was spotted sitting next to her golf bag while she played. Freeman captioned the post as

“Kai keeping an eye on things @lydsko.”

Lydia Ko then reposted the video on her Instagram story. Take a look:

Still taken from Lydia Ko's Instagram story _ Image Source: Instagram/@lydsko

Ko often shares adorable pictures and videos of Kai with her 320,000 Instagram followers. She was featured in Golf.com magazine’s issue in April, and her furry friend made it into the picture spread, too.

The 28-year-old golfer shared several pictures from her photoshoot with Golf.com, and in one slide, she was captured sitting and smiling with Kai on a couch. She joked in the post’s caption, saying:

“I know what you guys are thinking… Kai should be on the front of the cover and not me 😂 Thank you @golf_com for this cool opportunity!”

Take a look at the post here:

Ko has been on her LPGA Tour break since the beginning of June after the U.S. Women’s Open. She will likely make her return in the 2025 KMG Women’s PGA Championship, set to kick off on June 19.

Lydia Ko reveals she “loved” the course at the 2025 U.S. Women’s Open

The 2025 U.S. Women’s Open was held from May 29 to June 1, and Lydia Ko performed decently in the tournament. Following the conclusion of the event, she shared a picture of herself mid-swing on the iconic Erin Hills Golf Course. The caption read:

“How can you top a @uswomensopen? A US Women’s Open at 🇺🇸’s Dairyland!! Loved the course. Loved the cheese. Thank you @usga ❤️”

Take a look at the post here:

Ko scored 73 and 71 in her first two rounds at Erin Hills. On moving day, she shot four bogeys and three birdies to card 73, while on the final day, she shot two birdies, two bogeys, and a double bogey.

Lydia Ko carded a total of 3-over 291 across 72 holes and landed at T26, tied with A Lim Kim. 10 strokes ahead of Ko, Maja Stark claimed the title with 7-under 281.

About the author

Sarah Rishama Madaki is a dedicated Golf Writer at Sportskeeda with a passion for bringing fresh perspectives to the world of sports journalism. With five years of professional experience as a content writer and strategist, she has worked with global brands across diverse industries, including stints at Soot Africa, TWU, Ink Different Hub, and Attrock.

A devoted fan of golf, Sarah stays updated on the sport through platforms like ESPN, SS Golf, and esteemed publications such as Golf Digest and Golf.com. She combines her knowledge of the game with an ability to understand audience preferences, crafting stories that resonate deeply with readers.

Sarah credits Tiger Woods as her inspiration for entering the world of golf. His resilience, innovative contributions to the game, and achievements motivate her to push boundaries in her career.

Beyond golf, Sarah is an avid NFL enthusiast cheering for the Kansas City Chiefs, a fiction novel lover, and a budding gardener. She aspires to one day cover historic events like The Masters at Augusta National Golf Club, bringing fans closer to the heart of the action.

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Edited by Tushhita Barua