History of Lydia Ko in Timeline

Lydia Ko is a professional golfer from New Zealand and the current Olympic champion. She was the youngest golfer ever, male or female, to achieve a number one ranking, at age 17 years, 9 months and 9 days.

April 1997: Birth of Lydia Ko

Lydia Ko was born in Seoul, South Korea in April 1997.

March 2005: Ko Garners Media Attention at National Amateur Championships

At seven years old, Lydia Ko got the attention of the media for competing at the New Zealand national amateur championships in March 2005.

September 2011: Lexi Thompson Becomes the Youngest Winner of an LPGA Tour Event

Lexi Thompson set the record for the youngest winner of an LPGA Tour Event in September 2011.

January 2012: Ko Becomes Youngest Person to Win a Professional Golf Tour Event

Lydia Ko, at age 14, became the youngest person to win a professional golf tour event at the Bing Lee/Samsung Women's NSW Open on the ALPG Tour in January 2012, surpassing Japan's Ryo Ishikawa. This record was later broken by Canadian Brooke Henderson that same year.

August 2012: Youngest Winner of an LPGA Tour Event

At 15 years and four months old, Lydia Ko became the youngest-ever winner of an LPGA Tour event at the CN Canadian Women's Open in August 2012, a record previously held by Lexi Thompson.

2012: CN Canadian Women's Open Victory (Amateur)

Lydia Ko emerged victorious at the 2012 CN Canadian Women's Open while still an amateur. The tournament was co-sanctioned by the Ladies European Tour and the ALPG Tour.

August 2013: Lydia Ko Breaks into Rolex Rankings Top 10

After winning her second Tour title on August 25, 2013, Lydia Ko entered the Rolex Rankings top 10, remaining there for 231 consecutive weeks as of January 22, 2018.

August 2013: First Amateur to Win Two LPGA Tour Events

In August 2013, Lydia Ko became the only amateur golfer to win two LPGA Tour Events.

October 2013: Ko Announces Decision to Turn Pro

Initially planning to turn pro in 2014, Lydia Ko announced her decision to turn professional immediately in October 2013.

October 2013: Turning Professional and Joining LPGA Tour

Lydia Ko embarked on her professional golfing career on October 23, 2013. It's worth noting that while she turned pro in 2013, she didn't immediately become an LPGA Tour member, and her earnings from that year weren't officially recognized by the LPGA Tour.

October 2013: LPGA Waives Age Requirement for Ko

The LPGA waived their 18-year-old age requirement for Lydia Ko, allowing her to join the organization in October 2013.

November 2013: Ko Starts Working With David Leadbetter

Lydia Ko began working with swing coach David Leadbetter in November 2013.

December 2013: End of Coaching Relationship with Guy Wilson

Lydia Ko's time being coached by Guy Wilson ended in December 2013.

2013: CN Canadian Women's Open Victory (Amateur)

In 2013, Lydia Ko achieved victory at the CN Canadian Women's Open for the second consecutive year, again as an amateur. This tournament was co-sanctioned by the Ladies European Tour and the ALPG Tour.

2013: Wins at Bing Lee Samsung Women's NSW Open and ISPS Handa New Zealand Women's Open (Amateur)

Lydia Ko secured victories in two tournaments in 2013 as an amateur: the Bing Lee Samsung Women's NSW Open and the ISPS Handa New Zealand Women's Open. Notably, both events were co-sanctioned by the LPGA Tour and the Ladies European Tour.

2013: ISPS Handa New Zealand Women's Open Win (Amateur)

Lydia Ko triumphed at the 2013 ISPS Handa New Zealand Women's Open as an amateur. The tournament was co-sanctioned by the LPGA Tour and the ALPG Tour.

2013: Ko Wins the CN Canadian Open

Lydia Ko won the CN Canadian Open in 2013.

2013: Evian Championship Becomes a Major

The Evian Championship was officially recognized as a major championship in women's golf in 2013.

April 2014: First LPGA Tour Win as a Professional

Lydia Ko earned her first LPGA tour win as a professional golfer at the Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic in April 2014, which also marked her first win on US soil.

November 2014: Ko Wins CME Group Tour Championship

Lydia Ko won the CME Group Tour Championship in November 2014.

2014: Ko Initially Planned to Turn Pro

Lydia Ko had planned to turn pro in 2014 but ultimately made the decision to go pro in 2013.

2014: Ko Named One of Time's 100 Most Influential People

Lydia Ko was recognized by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in 2014.

February 2015: Lydia Ko Becomes Youngest Golfer to Reach Number 1

At the age of 17 years, 9 months, and 9 days old, Lydia Ko became the youngest golfer, male or female, to be ranked number one in professional golf in February 2015.

February 2015: Lydia Ko Becomes World No. 1

Lydia Ko achieved the world No. 1 ranking for the first time on February 2, 2015, holding the position for 85 weeks until June 2017.

February 2015: Ko Wins ISPS Handa Women's Australian Open

Lydia Ko won the ISPS Handa Women's Australian Open in February 2015, marking her sixth win on the LPGA tour and ninth win overall.

August 2015: Lydia Ko wins her third Canadian Pacific Women's Open

Lydia Ko won her third Canadian Pacific Women's Open in August 2015 after a playoff against Stacy Lewis.

September 2015: Lydia Ko wins the Evian Championship

In September 2015, Lydia Ko won the Evian Championship, becoming the youngest major champion in LPGA Tour history.

October 2015: Lydia Ko becomes the youngest player to win 10 events on a major tour

On October 26, 2015, at 18 years old, Lydia Ko became the youngest player to win 10 events on a major tour, surpassing Horton Smith's 1929 PGA Tour record and Nancy Lopez's 1979 LPGA Tour record.

November 2015: Lydia Ko Wins LPGA Rolex Player of the Year

In November 2015, Lydia Ko was named LPGA Rolex Player of the Year, making her the youngest recipient in the award's history.

2015: First Missed Cut at KPMG Women's PGA Championship

After an impressive streak of 53 consecutive cuts made on the LPGA Tour (16 as an amateur), Lydia Ko experienced her first missed cut at the 2015 KPMG Women's PGA Championship held from June 11th to 14th.

2015: Ko Named in ESPNW Impact25 List

In 2014 and 2015, Lydia Ko was included in the ESPNW Impact25, a list of 25 athletes and influencers who made the biggest impact for women in sports.

2015: Ko Studies Psychology at Korea University

Lydia Ko began studying psychology at Korea University in Seoul in 2015.

2015: Lydia Ko ties Annika Sörenstam's record

On April 2, 2015, Lydia Ko tied Annika Sörenstam's LPGA record for consecutive rounds under par (29) at the ANA Inspiration.

April 2016: Ko Wins the ANA Inspiration

In April 2016, Lydia Ko wins her second consecutive major championship at the ANA Inspiration, becoming the youngest player to do so.

2016: Lydia Ko Announces Equipment and Coaching Changes

Following the 2016 season, Lydia Ko announced a sponsorship deal with Parson's Xtreme Golf and parted ways with her caddie and coach, David Leadbetter.

2016: Lydia Ko Wins Kia Classic and ANA Inspiration

Lydia Ko continued her winning streak in 2016, claiming victory at the Kia Classic and ANA Inspiration, making her the youngest double major winner in golf history.

2016: Ko Named Young New Zealander of the Year

Lydia Ko was named Young New Zealander of the Year in 2016.

2016: Lydia Ko wins the ISPS Handa New Zealand Women's Open

Starting 2016 strong, Lydia Ko won the ISPS Handa New Zealand Women's Open for the third time in four years.

June 2017: Lydia Ko loses World No. 1 ranking

Lydia Ko lost her world No. 1 ranking in June 2017.

2017: Second Missed Cut at Kia Classic

Following her first missed cut, Lydia Ko went on to make the next 40 consecutive tour event cuts. Her second missed cut occurred at the 2017 Kia Classic held from March 23rd to 26th.

2017: Lydia Ko's 2017 LPGA Tour Season

Lydia Ko began her 2017 LPGA Tour season with mixed results, including a missed cut at the Kia Classic but a strong showing at the Lotte Championship.

2017: Lydia Ko's 2017 Season Earnings and Ranking

Lydia Ko finished the 2017 season ranked 9th in scoring average and 13th on the money list, marking her fourth consecutive year earning over $1 million.

2017: Ko's Youngest LPGA Tour Win Record Ends

Lydia Ko's record as the youngest player to win an LPGA tour event, which she achieved at the age of 15, ended in 2017.

2019: Ko Appointed Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit

Lydia Ko was appointed as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her contributions to golf in 2019.

2021: Lydia Ko wins the Lotte Championship

In 2021, Lydia Ko secured her first LPGA Tour victory since 2018 at the Lotte Championship in Hawaii.

2021: Ko Sets Record for Lowest Final Round Score in Women's Golf

Lydia Ko beat her own record for lowest final round score in women's golf with a 62 at the 2021 ANA Inspiration.

2021: Lydia Ko wins the Vare Trophy

Lydia Ko won the 2021 Vare Trophy, awarded to the LPGA Tour player with the lowest scoring average.

2021: Lydia Ko Wins Bronze at Tokyo Olympics

Representing New Zealand at the 2021 Summer Olympics, Lydia Ko won a bronze medal.

November 2022: Ko Wins CME Group Tour Championship

Lydia Ko won the CME Group Tour Championship and its $2 million prize in November 2022, ending the season with three wins. She also received the LPGA Player of the Year Award for the second time, the Vare Trophy for lowest scoring average, and became the 2022 leading money winner, leading to her rise to number two in the Women's World Golf Rankings.

December 2022: Marriage to Chung Jun

Lydia Ko married Chung Jun, the son of Hyundai Card Vice Chairman Chung Tae-young, in December 2022. The wedding took place at the Myeondong Cathedral in Seoul.

2022: First LPGA Tour Title Since 2022

In 2022, Lydia Ko won her first LPGA Tour title since her previous win in 2022 at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions.

2022: Lydia Ko wins CME Group Tour Championship and other accolades

Lydia Ko concluded a triumphant 2022 season by winning the CME Group Tour Championship, the season's money title, the Vare Trophy, and LPGA Player of the Year.

July 31, 2023: Lydia Ko's Ranking Update

As of July 31, 2023, Lydia Ko's ranking stands at number 3, having previously reclaimed the Number 1 spot in November 2022 for the first time since 2017.