Lydia Ko is nearing the form that took her to the summit of women's golf as a teenager - but the Kiwi star is adamant she still plans to retire young.
The Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist dominated the women's game for five years, after winning her first tournament as an amateur in 2012.
Ko, 24, won an incredible 16 LPGA tournaments - including two Majors - before she turned 20, scooping the New Zealand Sportswoman of the Year award three straight years and the Halberg Supreme Award in 2013.
The Korean-born right-hander spent 85 straight weeks as world No. 1 between 2015-17, before her game went into decline, leaving her winless for four years.
Last year, the signs were promising for Ko, who ended the COVID-19 affected season with 10 top-10 finishes, including several top-three finishes, signalling her game was back.
She broke her drought earlier this year and has been in vintage form this month, with her third placing at Tokyo and runner-up finish at the Scottish Open last week, with a blazing nine-under-par final round, and on Tuesday Ko reached her highest world ranking in four years - No.6.
Ko is tipped as one to watch at the British Open, as she looks to win her first Major title since 2016, but despite her career renaissance, Ko insists her plan is still the same - to retire while she still loves the game.
"I hope to not be playing when I'm 34," she says. "I love this game, but I feel like there's also a lot of other things that I would like to do in my life."
Ko picks close friend and world No.1 Nelly Korda as her toughest rival at Carnoustie this weekend.
Korda dominated the Olympic tournament to claim gold - her fourth tournament win of 2021 - and enters the British Open as the hottest of favourites.
Come the final round, Ko suspects Korda will again be close to the top of the leaderboard.
"When you look at Nelly's game, she's obviously very long and also accurate," says Ko, who is the bookies’ second favourite, behind the American.
"She is a great putter, her iron control is amazing and her short game is great. I could go on and on and on about how great Nelly's game is, and she has incredible mental strength, as well.
"She already had three wins this year - the Olympics made it four - and she has a bunch of top 10's. She is very impressive.
“Her game doesn't fit one type of golf course and it definitely can translate well to here, where she is plenty long and also accurate. I'm sure she's going to have a great week."
Ko's best finish at the British Open was third in 2015 and on such a tough course, she backs her mental strength to shine during an unpredictable week.
"I'm just going to have a good time and whatever happens, happens - just not be so result-oriented and enjoy my time here in Carnoustie.
"This might be the trickiest British Open I've played yet. You have to be very strategic around here."
