Lydia Ko has undergone some major changes during the offseason in her quest to remain atop the world rankings. The the New Zealander is also hoping the golf venue for the next Olympics makes changes to its policy of barring female members.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has urged the private Kasumigaseki Country Club, in Saitama prefecture, to allow women full membership, or the 2020 Tokyo Games organizers will be asked to find a new venue.

Ko, who won a silver medal at the Rio Olympics last year, said the sport is gradually improving in terms of equality and that the standard of women's play on the major tours would only help speed up that process.