Golf: Lydia Ko reveals new stress-limiting approach after second round of British Open

Lydia Ko has had a strong run of form over the past month. Photo / Getty Images

Lydia Ko has been leaving her stressors in the hands of fate.

In recent events, Ko has adopted the mantra of 'what's meant to be will be' on the course, and in the past month it seems to have worked for her.

Coming off of three straight top-10 finishes – including claiming a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games – Ko is again in the hunt at the British Open at Carnoustie in Scotland.

It was a rocky start to the tournament for Ko, however she turned things around in her second round with a miraculous shot out of a bunker on the ninth hole to make the cut and, despite being in a tie for 31st at one-under, heads into the weekend just six shots off the leaders.

After an even opening round which included three birdies and as many bogeys, Ko struggled early on Saturday morning with three bogeys and just one birdie in her first eight holes of the second round – finding plenty of bunkers on her way around the course.

"I had to hit off my knees on nine, then on 14 I had half of my leg was up the wall and the other half was inside it," Ko recalled of her adventures in the bunkers on the course.

"There were multiple times today when I was like 'man, I could do with being lefthanded for a few of these shots.' But the sand is pretty fluffy, and I think the ball settles down after it hits the bank or it rolls in.

"It's not easy but for both of those I said 'okay, don't make a fool of yourself. All of your core exercises are right for this moment, so keep your core tight, keep your legs tight, and just hit it – and at least don't faceplant'."

The shot at nine seemed to turn things around, as she went on to finish one-under for the round.

"It's great that I'm around to play in the weekend. I've been trying to think these last few weeks 'what's meant to be will be', but at the same time it's like, man, if what's meant to be is for me to miss the cut, that would be disappointing," Ko said.

"I don't think you can take yourself out of it, especially around a golf course like this. If you're confident with the putter and hitting it pretty solid, I think you have a good chance. Minjee [Lee] showed [at the Evian Championship] you could be a few shots back and be able to be the one lifting the trophy.

"There's still so much golf, so you can't count yourself out. I'm just going to stay to my same strategies, be in a few less bunkers – none would be fantastic."