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Lydia Ko poses with a box of $1 million in cash -- her prize for winning the Race to the CME Globe. The teenager also scooped the LPGA Player of the Year award to cap off an outstanding weekend. Sam Greenwood/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
Golf's golden girl climbed to a world ranking of No. 1 when she was only 17 -- four years younger than Tiger Woods when he claimed the top spot for the first time. Gareth Gay/Getty Images
Ko is flanked by an honor guard of Royal Canadian Mounties after her record-breaking win at the 2012 Canadian Open. At just 15 years and four months, the New Zealander became the youngest winner of an LPGA Tour event. Harry How/Getty Images
Even before she had become a teenager, South Korea-born Ko was a force in amateur tournaments in New Zealand -- here taking part in an event in 2009. Hannah Johnston/Getty Images
Ko and 2013 British Open champion Stacey Lewis on the famous Swilcan Bridge at St. Andrews with their trophies. Ko was leading amateur and is tipped to win the professional title in future years. David Cannon/Getty Images
Ko returned to Canada in 2013 to repeat her previous year's groundbreaking success in the LPGA event. Stephen Dunn/Getty Images
Clinching her seventh LPGA Tour victory just two days after her 18th birthday in April 2015, Ko defended her Swinging Skirts title in California by winning a playoff. Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images
Ko has racked up just under $5 million in earnings since turning professional in October 2013. Sam Greenwood/Getty Images
Guy Wilson, a club professional in Auckland, coached Ko from her first introduction to golf at the age of five until their association ended in December 2013.
Ko is in big demand in New Zealand for public appearances, and took time out at a VIP launch of a mobile phone product in Auckland. Fiona Goodall/Getty Images
