Ko, who won two majors last year, had planned to start the 2020 season in March only for the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) tour to be halted following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus.

While most of her rivals returned to action at the end of July, Ko decided to stay in her home country of South Korea.

The 25-year-old chose not to compete in the Women’s British Open in August, before refusing to defend her ANA Inspiration title in September and opting out of the Women’s PGA Championship earlier this month.

The 2020 Evian Championship in France - where Ko would have been defending champion - was cancelled due to the pandemic.

"Given that health and safety are the most important things, this was an unavoidable choice," Ko told South Korean news agency Yonhap.

"My parents were worried that something might happen to me, and I am their only daughter.

"I couldn't just leave them behind."

Kim Sei-young’s victory in the Women's PGA Championship has seen her rise to world number two, but Ko continues to lead the way.

Ko has been playing on the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association tour, but is set to return to the LPGA for the Pelican Women's Championship on November 19 in Florida in the United States.

She is also expected to play in the US Women’s Open – the year’s final major – on December 10 in Texas.

"I don't regret not playing at majors so far this year," she said.

"I am not getting caught up in results this year.

"Winning tournaments and being world number one is important, but what I am doing now is investing for the future.

"To make sure I will stay competitive for a long time, I am working on my body and my swing."