When I first arrived on tour, several veterans were kind enough to share a few words of wisdom. The most common guidance was, without fail, to “stop and smell the roses.”

The ensuing two decades have flown by, and it’s hard to believe I’m now cast in the elder-statesman role. While I probably could’ve done a better job heeding their advice during my career, it still resonates with me to this day.

Lydia Ko is exceptionally talented, mature beyond her years and well liked by golf fans and competitors alike. She is responsible for sparking increased interest in our sport not just in her native South Korea and adopted homeland of New Zealand but also among juniors across the globe.

Her early, record-breaking success brings with it incredible pressure — and she’s doing a fantastic job handling the many responsibilities that accompany stardom. Her future is very bright. All I can add is to enjoy the ride!

Sorenstam, an eight-time LPGA player of the year, is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame