New Zealand’s golfing star Lydia Ko has been honored as a dame in the country’s New Year’s honours list, recognizing her remarkable contributions to the sport. At just 27 years of age, Ko becomes the youngest New Zealander to receive this prestigious title. Born in Korea, Dame Lydia Ko’s illustrious career includes noteworthy achievements such as clinching the gold medal in the women’s individual event in the Paris Olympics and securing her place as the youngest inductee into the LPGA Hall of Fame in 2024. Her Olympic accolades also include a silver medal from Rio in 2016 and a bronze from Tokyo in 2021.
Ko’s sporting journey is filled with historic milestones. In 2012, aged 14, she became the youngest person to win a professional golf championship with her victory at the New South Wales Open. A year later, Ko made history again at age 15 as the youngest player to win an LPGA Tour event. By February 2015, she achieved the additional feat of becoming the youngest player, male or female, to attain the world number one ranking in golf. Further demonstrating her prowess, Ko secured a major title by winning the Evian Championship at 18, setting another record as the youngest female major winner with a stunning final round score of 63.
Her career boasts of 30 professional tournament victories, including three majors, earning her repeated recognition as New Zealand’s sportswoman of the year from 2013 to 2015. Ko currently resides in Orlando, Florida, where she continues to be a formidable presence in women’s golf.
