Lydia Ko, a New Zealand Order of Merit inductee, is a professional golfer with two major victories and 28 career wins, as of March 2024. She was the youngest golfer to win on a professional tour, the LPGA. At 16, she became a professional and joined the LPGA. While the tour has a mandate for 18-year-olds or older, Ko was rather exceptional in waiving the rule.
The next year, she reached world No. 1, becoming the youngest male or girl in golf history to do so. Her first professional event was the 2013 CME Group Titleholders, where she tied for 21st place, an acceptable finish for her debut season given her age.
Between 2011 and 2022, Ko received 21 medals and honors. She received a spot on Time magazine's list of the most influential people when she was 17 and 18, which is an achievement in and of itself. She also serves on the LPGA board as Player Director.
She won the 2024 Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions by two strokes with a score of 274, under 14, after winning three tournaments in 2022 and one Aramco Saudi Ladies International in 2023, defeating Aditi Ashok by a single stroke with a score of 267, under 21.
Who is Lydia Ko’s coach?
Lydia Ko’s coach as of March 2024 is Ted Oh, who has coached her previously in 2018 too.
Ko has a history of switching coaches. David Leadbetter was Ko's coach while she was the best player in the world, but the two had a contentious split in 2016.
Leadbetter stated in an interview with Radio Sport in New Zealand: “Her parents have a lot to answer for. They tell her when to go to bed, what to eat, what to wear, when to practice and what to practice. They expect her to win every tournament.”
Guy Wilson was Ko's childhood coach; she hired Leadbetter in late 2013 and let him go in late 2016. After that, she would work with David Whelan, Jorge Parada, Ted Oh, Gary Gilchrist, and Foley, her seventh coach in seven years, in 2020.
However, by 2022, she had also parted ways with Foley. Sura, Ko's manager, told Golfweek that she was currently only working on an informal basis with Ted Oh, another former coach.
Why did Lydia Ko split with coach Sean Foley?
Ko first contacted Tiger Woods' old coach, Foley, in 2020 after going more than two years without winning on the LPGA Tour. Ko stated "logistical reasons" for the splitting up. When the two started working together, the New Zealander was likewise not among the top 50 in the world. Ko has won twice more in 2022, including the BMW Ladies Championship.
FAQ's On Lydia Ko Golf Coach
A. Lydia Ko’s coach as of March 2024 is Ted Oh, who had previously coached her in 2018 as well.
A. Lydia Ko parted ways with coach Sean Foley due to "logistical reasons."
A. Lydia Ko's childhood coach was Guy Wilson.
A. Lydia Ko has worked with several coaches throughout her career, including David Leadbetter, David Whelan, Jorge Parada, Ted Oh, Gary Gilchrist, and Sean Foley.
A. The net worth of Lydia Ko is estimated to be $25 million as of March 2024.
