by REERA YOO
Lydia Ko became the youngest player to win the LPGA Tour’s rookie of the year award on Wednesday, reports Yahoo Sports.
The 17-year-old golfer secured the points-based honor with three tournaments remaining in the LPGA Tour schedule, before the Mizuno Classic in Japan. Ko already has two wins, a pair of runner-up finishes and nine other top-10 finishes under her belt for this season. In addition, the New Zealand teen has earned just over $1.5 million and ranks third in the Rolex Rankings. She is also third in the LPGA Tour’s Race to the CME Globe, which ends next week with $1 million being presented to the winner, according to the Associated Press.
“It’s really been a dream rookie season for me,” said Ko. “I learned so much and am glad to have
achieved some of my goals along the way. It’s an honor to have my name now etched alongside such
amazing players and legends of the game on the list of Rookie of the Year winners.”
Laura Baugh previously held the record as the youngest LPGA rookie of the year when she won the award in 1973 at the age of 18.
Photo courtesy of Jason Franson/The Canadian Press
