Brad Faxon has shared his putting knowledge with a number of high-profile players over the past few years, none as high-profile as Rory McIlroy, who is playing OK these days. As if McIlroy's endorsement wasn't enough, Faxon has now earned the plaudits of women's World No. 1 Jin Young Ko.
Speaking this week at the CME Group Tour Championship, Ko, who is from South Korea, was asked if she had any favorite, non-Korean golfers growing up. The first player who came to Ko's mind was Faxon.
"He's good, great," at putting Ko said. "I met him at the U.S. Women's Open last year, and then I did—I had handshake with [Brad Faxon] before the round. Then I got one putt, No. 1, 2, 3 hole, and then I told my caddie, 'I don't want to like hand wash.' "
Ko was already well aware of who Faxon was prior to this encounter. Apparently, she had been studying him on YouTube for years.
"A lot. Like until 15 years—15 years until 19, and then I watched every day YouTube, like his video. So my putting was really good like 18 years old, 19.
"He's good. Sexy."
Wait, what?!
Ko was referring to Faxon's putting stroke, which she later expanded on. Get your minds out of the gutter, people.
"He did all the time a little bit forward press and then start to the backswing, and then I did that a long time ago. Not now. I want to learn from Brad Faxon about putting."
Whatever it is, Faxon's looks or his putting tips, it's certainly helped Ko in her rise to the top. Since becoming a full-time member of the LPGA Tour in 2018, she has won five times, including a pair of major victories at the ANA Inspiration and the Evian Championship this past season. This year, she averaged just under 30 putts per round and ranked fourth in putts per green in regulation.
Faxon saw Ko's comments on Thursday and, not surprisingly, tweeted them out, specifically highlighting the "sexy" part:
There's a good chance Ko's quote ends up on Fax's fridge at home. For that, she deserves free putting lessons for life.
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