“It Hurts”: Lydia Ko Shares Honest Emotions After International Crown Finish, Praises Charley Hull and Teammates 

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA —
Golf is a game of inches — and emotion. And few moments captured that better than Lydia Ko’s tearful reflection after the final day of the International Crown, where her team’s championship hopes slipped away by the narrowest of margins.

Serving as team captain, Ko had carried not just her clubs but the weight of leadership, expectation, and pride. But as the final putt dropped and reality set in, the usually composed star let the world see something rarely shown in professional golf — raw honesty.

“I feel like I let my team down,” Ko said softly, her voice trembling. “It hurts because I wanted to be better — for them.”

A Captain’s Burden

Ko’s words came shortly after the final round, where her team — which included standout Charley Hull, Atthaya Thitikul, and Hannah Green — finished just shy of the top spot in one of golf’s most emotionally charged international competitions.

While the final leaderboard will show numbers, Ko’s post-round confession revealed what those numbers can’t measure — the quiet pain of responsibility.

“As captain, I wanted to set the tone,” she said. “I wanted to lead by example, and when I didn’t deliver, it was hard not to feel like I’d let everyone down.”

The 27-year-old star has long been admired for her humility, maturity, and professionalism. But this moment — vulnerable and unfiltered — struck a deeper chord with both fans and fellow athletes.

Charley Hull’s Support: “She’s the Heart of This Team”

While Ko blamed herself, her teammates were quick to reject that narrative.

“Lydia’s the reason we got as far as we did,” said Charley Hull, who played alongside Ko throughout much of the tournament. “She’s the heart of this team — always calm, always lifting everyone up. We wouldn’t trade her leadership for anything.”

Hull’s words echoed the sentiment felt across the locker room. Despite the heartbreak, the bond between the players seemed stronger than ever.

“We win together, we lose together,” said Thitikul. “That’s what Lydia reminded us every day. She tells us to focus on the team, not the individual. That’s who she is — she puts others first.”

Ko smiled when reporters read her teammates’ comments back to her.

“They’re amazing,” she said, eyes glistening. “Honestly, they make me so proud. I couldn’t ask for better people by my side.”

A Lesson in Leadership and Humanity

For Lydia Ko, this wasn’t just about a golf tournament — it was about learning, growing, and embracing imperfection, even as a world-class athlete.

“When you’re in a leadership role, you think you have to be perfect,” she said. “But I realized that sometimes, being real — showing you care, showing you hurt — that’s leadership too.”

Her words have since gone viral across social media, with fans praising her authenticity and grace under pressure.

“This is why Lydia Ko is a class act,” one fan tweeted. “She owns her mistakes, praises her teammates, and still carries herself with dignity.”

Another wrote:

“You can’t teach heart — and Lydia has it in abundance.”

The Weight of Expectation

As one of golf’s brightest stars, Lydia Ko has been carrying the spotlight for more than a decade. She turned professional at just 17, became the youngest world No. 1, and has since racked up countless accolades. But with success comes scrutiny — and pressure.

“People expect me to always be at my best,” Ko admitted. “And most days, I expect that from myself too. But this week reminded me — golf isn’t about perfection. It’s about resilience.”

That resilience has defined her career. From slumps and comebacks to major victories and quiet heartbreaks, Ko’s journey has always been about perseverance.

“You learn more from the losses than the wins,” she said. “As much as this hurts, I know it’ll make us better — as players, and as people.”

Fans Rally Behind Their Captain

Ko’s emotional honesty sparked an outpouring of love from fans around the world. Social media flooded with messages of encouragement, photos of her embracing her teammates, and words like “leader,” “class,” and “inspiration.”

One fan wrote:

“Watching Lydia cry broke my heart, but it also reminded me why I admire her so much. True leaders feel deeply — and still stand tall.”

Even golf legends chimed in. Annika Sörenstam, one of Ko’s longtime idols, commented on Instagram:

“Lydia, you showed true leadership. Golf can be cruel, but your grace through it all is what defines greatness.”

Ko, ever humble, responded simply:

“Thank you. I’ll keep learning.”

Redemption and Reflection

Despite the pain, Ko made it clear that this loss wouldn’t define her — or her team.

“We’ll be back,” she said firmly. “This doesn’t break us. It builds us.”

Insiders from within the team confirmed that the defeat has actually strengthened their camaraderie. The group spent the evening together after the tournament, sharing stories, laughter, and quiet reflection.

“There were tears, but also gratitude,” Hull said. “We realized how lucky we are to have each other. That’s what Lydia reminded us — we may not have won the trophy, but we still won something special.”

A Glimpse Behind the Champion

For fans who have followed Lydia Ko’s journey, this was a rare glimpse behind the calm, collected exterior of a player who often seems unshakable. Beneath the trophies, precision, and polished interviews lies a woman who feels deeply — about her sport, her teammates, and the responsibility that comes with being a leader.

“Sometimes, I care too much,” Ko admitted with a half-smile. “But I’d rather care too much than not enough.”

That care, her teammates say, is what makes her not just a great golfer, but a great human being.

“She always puts others before herself,” Hull said. “That’s why we love her. She may feel like she let us down, but she never did — not for a second.”

Looking Ahead

As Ko prepares for her next tournament, her mindset is one of gratitude and growth.

“You move forward,” she said. “You take the lessons, the emotions, everything — and you use it to get better. That’s what this game is about. That’s what life’s about.”

She ended her post-tournament press conference with a message that resonated beyond golf:

“Losses hurt, but they remind you how much you care. And if you care, you’re already winning.”

The Heart of a True Leader

In the end, Lydia Ko’s heartbreak became a moment of humanity — a reminder that even champions are vulnerable, that strength and softness can coexist, and that true leadership isn’t measured by scorecards, but by sincerity.

She may have left the International Crown without a trophy, but she left with something far more enduring: the admiration of her peers, the love of her fans, and the respect of everyone who understands what it means to lead with heart.

“It hurts,” she said one last time, tears welling up again. “But I’m proud. Proud of them. Proud of us. And next time — we’ll finish the story.”