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Golfer Lydia Ko becomes a dame in New Zealand New Year’s honours

New Zealand golfer Lydia Ko won the third major title of her career in 2024, lifting the Women's Open Championship trophy at St Andrews. (Getty Images: SNS Group/Rob Casey)

Hall of Famer Lydia Ko has been made a dame in the New Year's honours list in New Zealand for her services to golf. 

Lydia Ko (NZ)

  • Age: 27
  • Turned pro: 2013
  • Tournament wins: 30
  • Major titles: 3
  • LPGA Vare Trophy wins: 2
  • LPGA Player of the Year: 2
  • Olympic medals: Women's individual — Gold (Paris), silver (Rio), bronze (Tokyo)  

Ko is the youngest New Zealander at age 27 to receive the honour.

The Korean-born Dame Lydia Ko won the women's tournament at this year's Paris Olympics and also in 2024 became the 35th and youngest inductee to the LPGA Hall of Fame.

Ko won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and a silver medal at Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

She was described in a citation accompanying the honours list as New Zealand's most successful golfer, with 30 professional victories, including three majors.

Ko was named New Zealand's sportswoman of the year from 2013 to 2015.

In 2012 Ko became the youngest player, male or female, to win a professional championship when she won the women's New South Wales Open in Australia aged 14.

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A year later, at 15, she became the youngest player to win an LPGA tour event.

In February 2015, aged 17 years, 9 months and 9 days, she became the youngest player male or female to attain the number one world golf ranking.

In September 2015, Ko added another record to her collection, becoming the youngest woman to win a major title.

She shot a final round 63 to win the Evian Championship at 18 years of age. 

Ko is based in Orlando, Florida.

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