Ko Returns to Lake Merced to Defend Swinging Skirts Crown

DALY CITY, Calif. — Lydia Ko looks back at the year she's had since winning her first LPGA Tour event as a pro and credits the great golf she played at Lake Merced with helping to launch her young career.

She even celebrated her 17th birthday during the inaugural Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic last spring, and the world No. 1 will try to defend her title this week in a field that features 19 of the top 20 players in the world rankings.

Ko should be well rested after a week off, too.

"The first win is always important because it kind of gives you that first stepping stone where the path or the door is kind of open from there," Ko said. "Winning here was really important to me. The first is…