WELLINGTON, New Zealand – Hall of Famer Lydia Ko has been named a Dame in New Zealand’s New Year’s Honors list for her contribution to golf.
Dame Lydia Ko, the female equivalent of a knighthood, became Dame Lydia Ko on Tuesday after receiving one of New Zealand’s highest civil honours.
Ko, 27, is the youngest New Zealander to win the award.
South Korea-born Ko won the women’s championship at this year’s Paris Olympics and became the 35th and youngest LPGA Hall of Fame inductee in 2024. Gao won a bronze medal at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and a silver medal at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
In a citation accompanying the honors list, Ko was described as New Zealand’s most successful golfer, with 30 career wins, including three majors.
In 2012, 14-year-old Ko won the New South Wales Women’s Open in Australia, becoming the youngest male or female player to win a professional championship.
A year later, at age 15, she became the youngest player to win an LPGA Tour event. In February 2015, she became the youngest male or female player ranked No. 1 in the world at the age of 17 years, 9 months and 9 days.
Ko lives in Orlando, Florida.
