At the age of 27, Lydia Ko is believed to have become the youngest-ever Dame in the British Empire, a milestone that caps off an exceptional year for the golf star. Previously, swimmer Sophie Pascoe and sailor Naomi James were New Zealand’s youngest recipients of this honor at age 29. Dame Ellen MacArthur, a British sailor, held the previous record for youngest Dame in the Empire at age 28. The Department of Internal Affairs confirmed that Dame Lydia is New Zealand’s youngest person to receive the top honour, but couldn’t verify if she’s the youngest in the British Empire.
In 2024, Dame Lydia achieved remarkable titles. She claimed Olympic gold, triumphed at the British Open, and was inducted into the LPGA Hall of Fame. Expressing her gratitude about being made a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, she stated she felt both humbled and honored. “It feels odd; you don’t grow up thinking you will have a Dame next to your name. It is an honor to be recognized by your country – those opportunities don’t come to everyone.”
She humorously noted that her husband, Chung Jun, had asked about addressing her as “Dame,” to which she replied affirmatively. The Cabinet Office praised her as New Zealand’s most successful golfer, citing her 30 professional victories, including three major championships, 22 LPGA tournaments, and three Olympic medals.
Lydia Ko also reflected on her achievements: winning the full suite of Olympic medals—gold, silver, and bronze—and becoming the 35th and youngest inductee into the LPGA Hall of Fame. Despite these accomplishments, she questioned if she truly deserved the damehood, considering that Sir Bob Charles is the only other golfer to receive such an honor.
Recounting her journey, she credited her supportive family, friends, and fans for her success. After a soupy start to the summer, her performance at the Paris Olympics, where she won gold, surpassed her expectations. It felt like a fairy tale, especially following her struggles the previous year. She described the experience as emotional, comparing it to Cinderella’s fairy-tale moment.
Post-Olympics, she took time off to reflect and set new goals, including winning all five Women’s Majors, a challenge she acknowledged as daunting but a long-held ambition. Visiting New Zealand, she revisited her humble beginnings, marvelling at her journey from a schoolgirl golfer to an internationally celebrated athlete. She expressed hope that her success could inspire young women to pursue professional sports, emphasizing the importance of trying golf at a driving range to overcome initial intimidation.
New Zealand Olympic Committee’s chief executive, Nicki Nicol, called Ko’s journey remarkable, praising her as one of New Zealand’s greatest Olympians and an exceptional ambassador for her country. Nicol deemed the damehood a fitting recognition of her dedication and achievements.
