Golfing Star Lydia Ko Picks up Another Trophy

Eighteen-year-old Aucklander Lydia Ko has scooped the US$1 million LPGA Tour jackpot and has been named the women’s LPGA Player of the Year, becoming the youngest in its 49-year history to do so.

Ko retained the Race to the CME Globe title – given to the golfer who wins the most points during the LPGA Tour season – to pick up her bumper prize.

Ko finished joint seventh at the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship in Naples, Florida.

“It’s been a long season of ups and downs as well, mainly ups, but I think every emotion went through me today,” Ko said. “I think the hole was smaller than the ball today.

“I’m happy that the season is over and I can relax now.”

In September, she won her first major title at the Evian Championship in France, and October’s victory at the co-sanctioned Taiwan event was her fifth success this season.

“At the start of the week, I would say the biggest trophy that would mean a lot to me would be the Rolex Player of the Year,” Ko told LPGA.com.

“I’m so thankful to my team. I’m still emotional.”

Original article by Matias Grez, CNN, November 23, 2015.

Photo by David Albers.