Golf Channel commentators raised eyebrows during the second-round broadcast of the ANA Inspiration when they remarked on Lydia Ko’s weight.
During the telecast, seven-time major winner Juli Inkster — who is in the ANA field and visiting the booth as a guest commentator — said that Ko “looks like she needs to go to the buffet counter a little bit.”
Golf Channel analyst Judy Rankin replied, “We all want to see five more pounds on Lydia.”
“She can five of mine,” Inkster said. “That’s one thing I’m an all-star at and that’s eating.”
After the exchange drew criticism on Twitter, Inkster said that her remarks were “in fun.”
“I kid her all the time…don’t take thing [sic] so seriously .. We r a family out here. We Care for each other.”
Inkster, a seven-time major winner, was a Golf Channel commentator in 2014. A year later, she joined Fox Sports, where she now calls broadcasts for USGA championships.
Omg I can’t believe that @JuliInkster just said that #lydiako needs to hit up the buffet & #judyrankin just said she needs to put on 5 more pounds. So much for the #driveon message from @LPGA #wow #unbelievable
— Penny Jacko (@PAAJacko) April 5, 2019
Omg I can’t believe that @JuliInkster just said that #lydiako needs to hit up the buffet & #judyrankin just said she needs to put on 5 more pounds. So much for the #driveon message from @LPGA #wow #unbelievable
— Penny Jacko (@PAAJacko) April 5, 2019
@JuliInkster your comment that Lydia Ko should “step up to the buffet” was disgusting – so much for accepting people for who they are , body image, and women’s self esteem. You call yourself a leader? Amazing I have to you this ,you dinosaur!
— Christopher Bilyk (@ChefChrisBilyk) April 5, 2019
It was in fun . I kid her all the time … don’t take thing so seriously .. We r a family out here . We Care for each other .
— Juli Inkster (@JuliInkster) April 6, 2019
When reached by GOLF.com Sunday morning, a Golf Channel spokesperson declined to comment.
Before the 2018 season, Ko told Golfweek that she had lost 15 pounds to cut unnecessary fat and add muscle.
“I don’t feel bloated, which I think is a huge thing,” she said. “I’m trying to gain more muscle and lose a bit of the unnecessary fat. Everybody seems like they are hitting it longer and longer.”
In 2017, Ko — then 17 — became the youngest-ever player to ascend to world No. 1. She held that title for 108 weeks. Wins have not come as easily since. She has dropped to 14th in the world rankings, and her title came at the 2018 LPGA Mediheal Championship last April.
After a two-over 74 on Saturday at Mission Hills, Ko heads into the final round of the ANA Inspiration tied for 47th at three over par.