While all signs are pointing to the Tokyo Olympics going ahead later this year, Lydia Ko believes common sense will prevail if there is any major health risk.
Ko, who claimed a silver medal in golf's return to the Games in Brazil in 2016, was hopeful of being able tocompete again in Tokyo later this year, but remained realistic about whether or not the event will go ahead.
"Obviously right now there's a lot of things going on around the world but at the end of the day, I believe the IOC and everybody involved alongside Japan are going to make the right decisions to lead up to it," Ko said. "I know that if healthy and safety was going to be in jeopardy, I'm sure they won't follow through with it.
"But I think at the end of the day, like, there's nothing we can do. I'm sure all athletes are going to prepare for that, but whatever happens, happens, and we just have to have 100 percent trust in the people organising it.
"Hopefully it will go through because the 2016 Rio Olympics was one of the best memories I've had on and off the golf course. And to represent your country at a stage like this, it's a huge honour.
"So, yes, I would love to be there. But at the end of the day, I believe that the people involved will make the right decisions for all athletes."
Lydia Ko. Photo / Getty Images
Ko has recently found a return to form, winning her first LPGA Tour event in three years at the Lotte Championship at Kapolei Golf Club in Honolulu earlier this month. Ending a drought of more than 1000 days without a win on the tour, Ko was in fine form as she shot her way to a seven-stroke victory.
While she failed to make the cut in last week's tournament in California, the 24-year-old was confident heading into this week's event at the Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore.
"In Hawaii, I felt like my wedge game was really good, so I was setting up myself a lot of good birdie opportunities. I think overall, I was driving it well, so everything was clicking, and sometimes it's very rare to have moments where everything you feel like is going the right way. But I think that's why you keep training and I think all week, I thought, okay, just trust my training and that's it," Ko said.
"This course is normally in really good conditions. Since we've moved to the New Tanjong Course, it's different to the Serapong, as well. Seeing it from afar it looks like it's in great condition. I love it when you're there and the course is pretty much perfect and hopefully I'll be able to play well in these kind of good conditions."
