Golf

The Extraordinary Journey of Lydia Ko, the 2024 Olympics Gold Medallist in Women’s Golf

Published

2m ago

Aug 26, 2024 / 9344 Views

Evan Walker

The Olympic podium, the ultimate symbol of superiority in sport, is a platform where athletes are under intense scrutiny. They are filmed from such close quarters that followers on the other side of the planet can spot tears well up and roll down their cheeks. The recent 2024 Paris Olympics saw top golfer Lydia Ko on the podium, engulfed by a rush of emotions and sense of fulfilment that came with the moment at Le Golf National.

Not only was the Olympic women’s Golf gold hers, the Kiwi also made the LPGA Hall of Fame, among the toughest elite groups to break into in women’s sport.

From a young prodigy to earning an entire set of Olympic medals starting from Rio 2016 to Paris 2024 and become the most decorated Olympian in women’s golf, Ko’s journey may seem like a long run, but she has achieved all this at just 27 years old.

To celebrate her inspiring journey, we chart Lydia Ko’s accomplishments, net worth, career earnings, and endorsement deals.

Everything you should know about Lydia Ko, top golfer and Paris Olympics gold medallist

Extraordinary amateur career

Born in Seoul, South Korea, Ko relocated with her family to New Zealand when she was four. After spending the formative years in Auckland developing her golf skills, she started her quest, having no idea of what lay in store.

At six, mother Tina took her to the Pupuke Golf Club to meet coach Guy Wilson. It didn’t take her long to get noticed as she competed in the 2005 New Zealand National Amateur Championships as a seven-year-old.

Ko won the Women’s New South Wales Open on the ALPG Tour (presently the WPGA Tour of Australasia) in 2012, making history as the youngest to win a pro competition at the age of 14.

She was also the youngest-ever winner of an LPGA tournament in August of the same year, winning the CN Canadian Women’s Open at the age of 15 years and four months, breaking Lexi Thompson’s record of 16 years and seven months set in September 2011.

Ko remains the first amateur to win on the LPGA multiple times as she successfully defended her victory at the 2013 CN Canadian Women’s Open.

Renowned for her precision off the tee box, accurate iron play and ability to putt under pressure, Ko’s amateur career was distinguished by her consistency and ability to win across different types of courses and varying conditions.

Her supremacy was well demonstrated by her remarkable 130-week run as the best amateur golfer in the world.

Breaking the age barrier

When Ko began her professional career in late 2013, the only challenge was that she was only 16. The LPGA had restrictions in place, and players under 18 required the consent of then-Commissioner Micheal Whan for membership. Thankfully, she was welcomed with open arms on the Tour by Whan.

After winning two LPGA events in a row; Ko made her pro debut at the 2013 CME Group Titleholders and tied for 21st.

Within months of making the switch to the pro ranks, Ko won her first LPGA event, Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic.

lydia ko olympics golf gold medallist — Lydia Ko at the 2014 Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic. (Image: Robert Laberge/ Getty Images)

The 2014 Marathon Classic her second victory of the year, she won her third tournament, the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship, to be named the 2014 Rookie of the Year as the youngest winner.

In the process, Ko made history by becoming the youngest to surpass USD 2 million in career earnings.

Reaching the pinnacle

Ko’s fame as the “youngest-ever” record setter sums up her career.

After tying for second at the Coates Golf Championship in February 2015, she surpassed Inbee Park to become the youngest World No 1, male or female, at the age of 17 years, 9 months, and 9 days.

In September that year, Ko secured her first Major, the Evian Championship in France. She won by six shots over Lexi Thompson after dominating the final round, and her final round 8-under 63 was the lowest in a women’s Major.

Ko became the youngest Major winner in LPGA History as well and the youngest Major winner since Young Tom Morris’ triumph at 1868 Open Championship.

In October, she broke Nancy Lopez’s 1979 LPGA record to become the youngest to win 10 tournaments at the age of 18 years, 6 months, and 2 days.

In November, she edged Inbee Park to win the LPGA Rolex Player of the Year Award, becoming the youngest winner in the award’s History, along with the Race to CME Globe Winner and Tour Money Winner.

Ko’s second Major win was the 2016 ANA Inspiration at Mission Hills Country Club, by one stroke over Chun In-gee and Charley Hull. The victory solidified her status as the world’s top-ranked player while making her the second youngest double Major champion.

Golf made a comeback to the Summer Olympic Games at Rio 2016, and turning out in New Zealand colours, Ko finished with silver behind Korea’s Inbee Park.

Uncharted territory

By her lofty standards, Ko hit a trough in 2017 with the first winless season of her career. It was a deviation for someone who was used to winning and breaking records. The Golfing world kept watch as she made her way through uncharted territory. Though she did not lift a trophy, Ko still posted 11 top-10s, including three runner ups, and earned more than USD 1 million in earnings for the fourth consecutive season.

Getting back on track

Across 83 starts from 2018 to 2021, Ko won the 2018 LPGA Mediheal Championship, and became the fastest player in LPGA history to cross the USD 9 million earnings threshold.

She finished 2021 with 11 top-10 finishes, including a win at the Lotte Championship, and another Olympic medal, a bronze, at the postponed Tokyo Olympics. In addition, she also took home the Vare Trophy for the lowest LPGA Tour scoring average that season.

Turning point

Ko rose, triumphed, and reclaimed her spot among golf’s elite players in 2022. She began the year by winning the Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio, for her 17th LPGA victory.

After the BMW Ladies Championship high in October, Ko made a mark again at the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship. With her winnings at USD 4,364,403 million, she also made her way back to the top of world rankings.

In the process, Ko won the Vare Trophy for the second year in a row, 2022 Rolex Player of the Year, the top spot on the money list, and 25 LPGA Hall of Fame points, two points short of making the exclusive league.

Lows and highs

The 2023 season was a test of fortitude. With quite a few missed cuts, Ko’s lone win came partnering the PGA Tour’s Jason Day at the Grant Thornton Invitational in what was one of her least successful seasons.

The turn of the year brought glad tidings at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions in January, and she carried the momentum of the win to the 2024 Olympic Games gold in Paris.

The stunning victory at Le Golf National, completed Ko’s Olympic collection, and the entry to the LPGA Hall of Fame made her the youngest member.

Career earnings and net worth of Lydia Ko

Throughout her career, Ko’s skill has brought significant financial rewards. In 2016, she was included in Forbes Asia’s 30 Under 30 list in the entertainment and sports category, and in 2022, Forbes rated her 14th among the World’s Highest-Paid Female Athletes, with on-field earnings of USD 4.4 million and off-field earnings of USD 2.5 million.

According to Celebrity Net Worth, the projected net worth of Lydia Ko as of July 2024 is a staggering USD 25 million.

She has made USD 17,742,397 through LPGA tournament wins alone. Not only that, she has earned handsomely from endorsements.

Endorsements and sponsors

Ko’s excellence, marketability, and universal appeal has been acknowledged by global brands. She is a sought-after brand ambassador for clothing, sports accessories, and other products.

These endorsements have contributed considerably to her income. The two-time Major champion inked a contract with Excel Sports Management in January this year.