What’s more challenging for a golfer: fighting your swing or battling Mother Nature’s worst? For Lydia Ko, the answer came in torrential downpours at Liberty National Golf Club. The rain hammered down relentlessly during Friday’s second round of the Mizuho Americas Open. Ko faced the elements with the resilient mindset that characterizes her approach to the game.

“It’s frustrating at times because you know you’re hitting it well when the conditions are tough,” Ko admitted in her post-round interview with the media in New Jersey. “That’s probably the toughest part of just playing in the rain.” This honest assessment came after a round where she battled her swing and the elements. Despite the challenges, Ko found a way to thrive where others struggled.

She improved notably compared to her recent performance. “Yeah, you know, I’ve been hitting the ball a lot better, which has been nice,” Ko explained. “I drove it decently at Chevron, but my irons were really poor.” She finished at a disappointing T52 at the season’s first major, so this candid self-assessment was much needed. It highlighted the areas where she had been working to improve her game. The results were evident in her solid play despite the adverse conditions.

The weather forecast predicted a 96% chance of rain with winds gusting up to 18 mph. These conditions created a perfect storm of difficulty at Liberty National.  “For the first nine holes, everything was soaked,” Ko explained. Her caddie, Paul, had to remove his hat because his yardage book had become as heavy as a dumbbell from moisture. Yet, through it all, Ko maintained her focus and execution, and it worked. She shot 71 in the second round and sits at T13 after 36 holes in the $3M event.

Perhaps most telling was Ko’s acknowledgment of her historical struggles at this venue. “I haven’t necessarily played that great around here before,” she confessed, “so it’s just nice to be playing a lot more solid at a golf course I haven’t had a very good record previously.” In the inaugural edition of the event, in 2023, she finished T33, having shot par. Then, the year after, she sadly missed the cut. So, yeah, Liberty National hasn’t been very kind to her.

This breakthrough at Liberty National points to something much bigger happening in Ko’s career. As she finds form in the most challenging conditions, the whispers about her future in the game have taken a dramatic turn.

Lydia Ko’s 2025 resurgence silences retirement talk

Her redemption at this challenging venue mirrors her broader 2025 resurgence, including a victory at the HSBC Women’s World Championship and top-10 finishes at the Ford Championship and Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions. These results have effectively silenced retirement rumors that once surrounded her.

The 28-year-old New Zealander had previously declared she would retire by age 30, but her recent YouTube interview revealed a significant shift. “When the time comes, it’s going to come,” she stated firmly, suggesting she’s no longer fixated on her earlier deadline. This eight-word declaration represents a dramatic change in mindset that seems to have liberated her game. With only the U.S. Women’s Open and Open Championship needed to complete her Grand Slam career, Ko’s packed 2025 tournament schedule of 23 tournaments signals serious intent.

Ko’s improved ball striking reflects this newfound freedom. Ko worked with her coach on simple fundamentals and rediscovered her confidence even in challenging conditions. During Friday’s deluge at the Mizuho Americas Open, an eagle proved to be her momentum shifter. “Making the eagle was definitely a good momentum shifter,” she said with relief, perfectly encapsulating her 2025 season – finding brilliance amid challenging circumstances, with retirement the furthest thing from her mind.

Will Ko’s renewed confidence and improved ball striking carry her to that elusive Grand Slam in 2025? Only time will tell. But one thing’s certain – retirement seems further away than ever as she finds redemption in the rain at Liberty National.