Lydia Ko

Born: April 24, 1997

Height: 5 ft 5 in

Birthplace: South Korea

Turned Pro: 2013

Sponsors: Callaway, Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited

At just 20 years of age, Lydia Ko has already ascended to the top of women’s golf. Born in South Korea, Ko began playing golf as a 5 year old in New Zealand. Ko won numerous amateur events, including the U.S. Amateur, and was the number one ranked amateur in the world for an incredible 130 weeks.

Ko’s unparalleled status as amateur earned her invitations to professional events. Remarkably, Ko won two LPGA tour events as an amateur – back to back CN Canadian Open wins in 2012 and 2013.

Ko’s unique situation essentially forced the LPGA to wave their minimum age requirement and Ko became a full-time LPGA member in 2014. She won her first LPGA event as a professional at the Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic, defeating Stacy Lewis by one shot.

Ko would win a total of three times in 2014, including victories at the Marathon Classic and the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship.

With three quick wins in 2015 (including her second straight Swinging Skirts title), Ko overtook Inbee Park as the top player in the Women’s World Golf Rankings.

Ko will now focus on the next step in her professional resume – Major championships. Ko finished a disappointing 51st in the LPGA’s first Major – the ANA Inspiration (formerly the Kraft Nabisco championship). Her best finish in a Major was runner-up at the 2013 Evian Championship when she was still an amateur and a tie for 3rd at the 2014 Women’s PGA Championship.