Golf: Lydia Ko staying patient during title drought

New Zealand's Lydia Ko hits an approach shot. Photo / AP

It's been a year since her last victory on the LPGA Tour but Lydia Ko is staying patient.

The world number four last won a tournament, her 14th career title, at the Marathon Classic last July. She finished 20th in her title defence last week in Ohio.

Ko has seven top 10 finishes this year including a second placing at the Lotte Championship in April.

Ahead of the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open, Ko she said remains confident a 15th victory will come.

"I hope so, at least," Ko said.

"I know that I need to work hard and put in the time and effort, and things will come. Just because I haven't won in a year or so doesn't mean I'm playing bad golf. I think the big key is to stay patient and just to be able to trust myself."

What's gone wrong with Lydia Ko? Well, not much, actually

The Kiwi, who had four victories in 2016 and five the year before, admitted to media it isn't always the easiest to stay patient.

"It's easy to say but it's hard to do," Ko said. "I know that you just have to keep your head up high and just focus on what's going on right now and what I need to work on, rather than think about what has happened in the past.

"I think that's really important going forward is I've just got to look at what's going on at this moment and what I need to prove and what I need to improve. Now I've obviously been fortunate to be able to play some really good golf, and I think that will be a huge experience factor and I think being patient is going to be the key for me until hopefully that next win."