Lydia Ko became world No. 1 when she was only 17 -- four years younger than Tiger Woods when he claimed the top spot for the first time.
Lydia Ko became world No. 1 when she was only 17 -- four years younger than Tiger Woods when he claimed the top spot for the first time.
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Ko is flanked by an honor guard of Royal Canadian Mounties after her record-breaking win at the 2012 CN Canadian Open. At just 15 years and four months, the New Zealander became the youngest winner of an LPGA Tour event.
Ko is flanked by an honor guard of Royal Canadian Mounties after her record-breaking win at the 2012 CN Canadian Open. At just 15 years and four months, the New Zealander became the youngest winner of an LPGA Tour event.
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Ko returned to Canada in 2013 to repeat her groundbreaking success aged 16 -- this time becoming the youngest to win two LPGA tournaments.
Ko returned to Canada in 2013 to repeat her groundbreaking success aged 16 -- this time becoming the youngest to win two LPGA tournaments.
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Even before she had become a teenager, Ko was a force in amateur tournaments in New Zealand, here taking part in an event in 2009 aged 11.
Even before she had become a teenager, Ko was a force in amateur tournaments in New Zealand, here taking part in an event in 2009 aged 11.
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In 2012, she became the youngest person ever to win a professional golf event, taking the New South Wales Women's Open aged 14.
In 2012, she became the youngest person ever to win a professional golf event, taking the New South Wales Women's Open aged 14.
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Before turning professional in October 2013, Ko (pictured here alongside Stacy Lewis at the British Open) was the top-ranked women's amateur for 130 consecutive weeks.
Before turning professional in October 2013, Ko (pictured here alongside Stacy Lewis at the British Open) was the top-ranked women's amateur for 130 consecutive weeks.
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Ko won her third LPGA Tour title, the 2014 Swinging Skirts Classic, at Lake Merced Golf Club in California -- a course she'd go on to know very well.
Ko won her third LPGA Tour title, the 2014 Swinging Skirts Classic, at Lake Merced Golf Club in California -- a course she'd go on to know very well.
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In 2014, on her 17th birthday, the New Zealander was one of just five sportspeople to be named in Time Magazine's list of the 100 most influential people in the world. The only other athletes were FIFA World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo, Super Bowl champion Richard Sherman, gay NBA icon Jason Collins and tennis legend Serena Williams.
In 2014, on her 17th birthday, the New Zealander was one of just five sportspeople to be named in Time Magazine's list of the 100 most influential people in the world. The only other athletes were FIFA World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo, Super Bowl champion Richard Sherman, gay NBA icon Jason Collins and tennis legend Serena Williams.
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Guy Wilson, a professional at a local course in Auckland, coached Ko from her first introduction to golf at the age of five until their association ended in December 2013. "She was amazing around the green, hit shots pretty much where she wanted every single time," Wilson told CNN.
Guy Wilson, a professional at a local course in Auckland, coached Ko from her first introduction to golf at the age of five until their association ended in December 2013. "She was amazing around the green, hit shots pretty much where she wanted every single time," Wilson told CNN.
Between her victory in the season-ending 2014 CME Group Tour Championship and the 2015 ANA Inspiration, Ko shot 29 consecutive rounds under par, equaling the record mark set by the great Annika Sorenstam in 2004.
Between her victory in the season-ending 2014 CME Group Tour Championship and the 2015 ANA Inspiration, Ko shot 29 consecutive rounds under par, equaling the record mark set by the great Annika Sorenstam in 2004.
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The teenager rewrote the golfing record books once again not long after, becoming the youngest winner of a women's major at the 2015 Evian Championship aged 18 years and 142 days.
The teenager rewrote the golfing record books once again not long after, becoming the youngest winner of a women's major at the 2015 Evian Championship aged 18 years and 142 days.
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She was unsurprisingly crowned 2015 Rolex Player of the Year after a sensational season in which she captured five Tour victories and took home over $2.8M in prize money.
She was unsurprisingly crowned 2015 Rolex Player of the Year after a sensational season in which she captured five Tour victories and took home over $2.8M in prize money.
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And the teenager also took home a box of $1 million in cash -- her prize for winning the 2015 Race to the CME Globe.
And the teenager also took home a box of $1 million in cash -- her prize for winning the 2015 Race to the CME Globe.
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She promptly became the youngest two-time major winner in LPGA history, braving a leap into Poppies Pond having triumphed at the 2016 ANA Inspiration in what she called a "miracle."
She promptly became the youngest two-time major winner in LPGA history, braving a leap into Poppies Pond having triumphed at the 2016 ANA Inspiration in what she called a "miracle."
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Focus then switched to golf's first inclusion at the Olympics since 1906. Ko poses with the ball she used to make a hole-in-one at the Rio 2016 - her first ever in professional competition.
Focus then switched to golf's first inclusion at the Olympics since 1906. Ko poses with the ball she used to make a hole-in-one at the Rio 2016 - her first ever in professional competition.
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The Kiwi went on to secure the silver medal, finishing second behind South Korea's Inbee Park -- a moment she calls a career highlight, alongside her two majors.
The Kiwi went on to secure the silver medal, finishing second behind South Korea's Inbee Park -- a moment she calls a career highlight, alongside her two majors.
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But after her exploits in Rio, where she became New Zealand's first ever medalist in golf, Ko failed to win a single tournament in the entirety of 2017. David Leadbetter, her swing coach at the time, contends a very busy schedule in 2016 led to "a lot of fatigue and tiredness."
But after her exploits in Rio, where she became New Zealand's first ever medalist in golf, Ko failed to win a single tournament in the entirety of 2017. David Leadbetter, her swing coach at the time, contends a very busy schedule in 2016 led to "a lot of fatigue and tiredness."
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After 43 starts without a victory, Ko finally returned to the winner's circle at the Mediheal Championship in May 2018, the "best" three-wood she's ever hit setting her up for a decisive eagle.
After 43 starts without a victory, Ko finally returned to the winner's circle at the Mediheal Championship in May 2018, the "best" three-wood she's ever hit setting her up for a decisive eagle.
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It was there, on the shore of California's Lake Merced, that Ko had won her first ever tournament as a pro, lifting the 2014 LPGA Swinging Skirts trophy while celebrating her 17 birthday. This time, returning to the scene a few days after her 21st, she was reduced to tears.
It was there, on the shore of California's Lake Merced, that Ko had won her first ever tournament as a pro, lifting the 2014 LPGA Swinging Skirts trophy while celebrating her 17 birthday. This time, returning to the scene a few days after her 21st, she was reduced to tears.
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Ko plans to retire when she's 30. Before that, her biggest goals are to complete the career grand slam and once again compete at the Olympics, this time aiming for gold.
Ko plans to retire when she's 30. Before that, her biggest goals are to complete the career grand slam and once again compete at the Olympics, this time aiming for gold.
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