Korean-born New Zealand golfer Lydia Ko is being praised on Twitter for mentioning her period during a post-round interview with Golf Channel reporter Jerry Foltz, leaving the interviewer fumbling for words.
Foltz asked Ko, 25, about what happened when the golfer was seen receiving treatment from her physical therapist Chris Wicker during the final round of the Palos Verdes Championship in Palos Verdes Estates, California, on Sunday.
When asked about Wicker’s treatment and whether her issues with her tight back would be a “concern moving forward,” Ko looked directly at the camera and said, “I hope not. It’s that time of the month.”
“I know the ladies watching are probably like, ‘Yeah, I got you.’ So, when that happens, my back gets really tight, and I’m all twisted,” Ko continued. “It’s not the first time that Chris [Wicker] has seen me twisted, but it felt a lot better after he came. So, yeah, there you go.”
Foltz appeared unsure of what to say, then finally replied with “Thanks.”
Ko, who is currently No. 3 in Rolex’s Women’s World Golf Rankings, laughed and said, “I know you’re at a loss for words, Jerry.” She later shared the interview on Instagram, writing in her post’s caption: “FACTS. Fun way to cap off the West coast swing! Can’t wait to be back.”
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As for Foltz, he acknowledged in a reply to a Golf Central tweet that he was left speechless by Ko’s answer.
Ko finished third on Sunday and tied with American golfers Megan Khang and Ryann O’Toole. American golfer Marina Alex took first place, while Korean golfer Jin Young Ko placed second.
Several Twitter users, including ESPN India journalist Zenia D’cunha, praised Ko for openly talking about her period during the interview.
“Good stuff from Lydia Ko,” D’cunha tweeted. “We should normalize women in sports talking about periods like this. It’s not an excuse or an embarrassment, it’s just a bodily function.”
