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Lydia Ko
Winning Olympic golf gold and becoming the youngest golfer to reach world number one.
Evian Championship · ANA Inspiration
- Born
- 24 April 1997
- Birthplace
- Seoul, South Korea
More people
Lydia Ko
Lydia Ko is a New Zealand golfer who emerged as a teenage champion. Her Olympic gold in Paris completed a silver, bronze and gold collection and secured LPGA Hall of Fame qualification.
Early life
New Zealand childhood
Born in Seoul, she moved to New Zealand with her family at four.
Starting young
Began golf at five at Auckland's Pupuke Golf Club, coached by Guy Wilson.
Career
- 2012
Amateur breakthrough
Won the Canadian Women's Open at 15 while still an amateur.
- 2013
Turning professional
Joined the professional ranks after defending that title.
- 2015
World number one
Reached the top ranking at 17 and won her first major.
- 2024
Olympic gold
Won in Paris and qualified for the LPGA Hall of Fame.
Achievements
Evian Championship
Won her first major with a closing round of 63.
ANA Inspiration
Added a second major title.
Women's Open
Won at St Andrews, weeks after her Olympic victory.
Beyond sport
Family
Married Chung Jun in Seoul in December 2022.
National recognition
Was appointed a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2025 New Year Honours.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗LPGA Hall of Fame qualification ↗Photo: Ecco Golf. CC BY 3.0 · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
