Lydia Ko praised for talking about period after surprising reporter with honest answer

Having completed her round and posting a one-under 70 to finish tied for third, the New Zealand player was asked by Golf Channel reporter Jerry Foltz about the trainer, his treatment and if there was any long-term concern.

“I know the ladies watching are probably like: ‘Yeah, I got you.’ So, when that happens, my back gets really tight, and I’m all twisted. It’s not the first time that Chris (Wicker) has seen me twisted, but it felt a lot better after he came. So, yeah, there you go.”

The 17-time LPGA Tour winner’s answer took Foltz by surprise. He stuttered as he stumbled for an appropriate response before managing to say: “Thanks.”

Ko was able to laugh off any awkwardness, saying with a smile: “I know you’re at a loss for words, Jerry. Honesty it is.”

On Monday, Foltz himself acknowledged his surprise at Ko’s answer, replying to a tweet including a link to an article from Golf Central titled “‘Honesty it is’: Lydia Ko leaves interviewer speechless with response” with three simple words: “Yes it did.”

Ko’s openness about her period, a topic in women’s sports that is often seen as taboo, earned her a huge swell of praise on social media.

Visit CNN.com/sport for more news, features, and videos

Marama Davidson, the New Zealand Greens co-leader, said on Twitter that period pain is “definitely not acknowledged enough.”

ESPN journalist Zenia D’cunha said: “We should normalize women in sports talking about periods like this. It’s not an excuse or an embarrassment, it’s just a bodily function.”