GOLF LEGEND LYDIA MARRIAGE, MOTHE & MISSING NZ

The sporting superstar opens up about her life off the course and why her Kiwi heritage is the secret to her success

- Leena Tailor

As she celebrates the most exhilarating month of her golfing career - having won an Olympic gold medal, entering the LPGA Hall of Fame and taking home the British Open trophy - Lydia Ko credits her mixed Kiwi-South Korean heritage for helping her conquer the sport.

And it was while honeymooning in Aotearoa with her husband Jun Chung that the 27-year-old athlete, who was born in Seoul but raised on Auckland's North Shore, was reminded how much her roots are the key to her success.

"I was lucky to spend part of my honeymoon back home, and after my husband met people I know and went to my hometown, he said he now realises why I am the way I am!" grins Lydia, speaking to Woman's Day from California. "New Zealand and South Korean culture have shaped me on and off the golf course.

"I'm forever the Asian that loves Korean food - I could eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner - and at the same time, I love our pace of life in New Zealand. My DNA is to get everything done and if there's a problem, fix it now. But Kiwis are relaxed and take a step back to take everything in. As I've gotten older, I've embraced that more."

Taking time to smell the roses is something Lydia advised her 15-year-old self in a letter posted on Instagram. That Kiwi "calm" was evident at the Olympics, where her caddie described Lydia as more "at ease" than ever.

Lydia started frequenting a driving range at her family's apartment complex in Seoul after her aunt made her a set of junior golf clubs. Choosing the sport over ballet was a no-brainer.