Lydia Ko stands as one of the most accomplished figures in modern golf history, having solidified her legendary status with a Hall of Fame entry by age 27.
The New Zealand superstar continues to chase records, now playing as an equipment “free agent” after a transformative 2024-2025 season.
In this article, you will know Lydia Ko’s Net worth, career earnings, career overview, stats, relationship details with her husband Jun Chung, and her current endorsements.
Lydia Ko’s Biography
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Lydia Bo-Gyung Ko |
| Date of Birth | April 24, 1997 |
| Age | 28 |
| Education | Korea University (Psychology) |
| Nationality | New Zealand |
| Height | 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in) |
| Weight | Approx. 65 kg (143 lbs) |
| Turned Pro | 2013 |
| Net Worth | Estimated $25 Million |
| Career Earnings | Over $21.3 Million (LPGA Official) |
| Husband | Jun Chung |
| Instagram Profile | @lydsko |
| Twitter Profile | @LydiaKo |
Early Career
Lydia Ko was born in Seoul, South Korea, and moved to New Zealand at the age of four, where she began swinging golf clubs almost immediately at Pupuke Golf Club. Her rise in the amateur ranks was nothing short of meteoric.
By age seven, she competed in the New Zealand national amateur championships, gaining attention for her composed swing and maturity beyond her years.
She made history in 2012 by becoming the youngest-ever winner of an LPGA Tour event at just 15 years and 4 months old when she claimed the CN Canadian Women’s Open. She remained an amateur at the time, meaning she had to forfeit the $300,000 first-place prize.
This victory was not a fluke, as she successfully defended her title the following year, proving her dominance before even turning professional.
Her amateur career concluded with her being the top-ranked female amateur golfer in the world for 130 weeks, setting the stage for a record-breaking professional journey.
Professional Career
Ko turned professional in late 2013 and wasted no time altering the landscape of women’s golf. In 2015, she became the youngest player of either gender to be ranked No. 1 in professional golf at just 17 years old.
Her early professional years were defined by consistency and major successes, including her first major victory at the Evian Championship in 2015, where she fired a final-round 63.
She followed this with another major title at the ANA Inspiration (now Chevron Championship) in 2016.
After a period of swing changes and team adjustments, Ko staged a historic resurgence in the mid-2020s.
The 2024 season was particularly defining, as she captured the Gold Medal at the Paris Olympics, a victory that officially qualified her for the LPGA Hall of Fame. She capped off that year by winning her third major title at the AIG Women’s Open at St Andrews.
In 2025, she continued her winning ways, capturing the HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore, bringing her career LPGA win total to 23 and moving her to second on the all-time career money list.
Caddie
For the 2026 season, Lydia Ko’s caddie is Paul Cormack, a veteran Scotsman who joined her team late in the 2023 season.
Cormack, a former professional golfer himself, was instrumental in Ko’s return to major championship form, guiding her to her Olympic Gold and AIG Women’s Open victories in 2024.
Their partnership proved so successful that Cormack was awarded the “Caddie of the Year” honor in early 2025 for his role in her resurgence.
He brings significant experience to the bag, having previously caddied for major winner Anna Nordqvist and PGA Tour player Kevin Chappell.
Husband
Lydia Ko is married to Jun Chung, the son of Hyundai Card Vice Chairman and CEO Chung Tae-young. The couple met sometime before April 2021 and kept their relationship largely private until their engagement in 2022.
Interestingly, Ko made the first move by proposing to Chung with a “golf-themed” proposal, although he later proposed back to her during their engagement photoshoot.
They tied the knot on December 30, 2022, in a grand ceremony at the Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul, South Korea.
Chung works in the tech and finance sector; as of 2023, he held the position of Senior Business Development Manager at Amber, a San Francisco-based company.
He has also worked at Hyundai Cradle in open innovation. Ko has frequently credited Chung’s support for her renewed relaxed mindset on the course, noting that he helps her separate her identity as a person from her results as a golfer.
Lydia Ko’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Lydia Ko has an estimated net worth of approximately $25 million. This wealth stems from her massive on-course earnings, which rank among the highest in LPGA history, combined with lucrative long-term sponsorship deals.
Career Earnings
| Year | Events Played | Wins | Official Earnings ($) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 26 | 3 | $2,089,033 |
| 2015 | 24 | 5 | $2,800,802 |
| 2016 | 24 | 4 | $2,492,994 |
| 2017 | 26 | 0 | $1,177,450 |
| 2018 | 26 | 1 | $1,118,180 |
| 2019 | 24 | 0 | $444,256 |
| 2020 | 13 | 0 | $677,545 |
| 2021 | 20 | 1 | $1,530,629 |
| 2022 | 22 | 3 | $4,364,403 |
| 2023 | 20 | 0 | $247,335 |
| 2024 | 20 | 3 | $3,201,289 |
| 2025 | 18 | 1 | ~$1,200,000 |
| Total | — | 23 | ~$21,316,768 |
Endorsements
Lydia Ko took the bold step of becoming an equipment “free agent,” ending her previous club contract with Proto Concept to play a mixed bag of clubs, including a Ping driver and Titleist wedges, without payment. However, she retains significant endorsements in apparel and finance.
She continues to be an elite ambassador for Lululemon, wearing their athletic apparel on and off the course. She also maintains a footwear partnership with ECCO Golf, having launched a lifestyle campaign with them in late 2025 titled “Made For Every Step”.
Her other major sponsor is Hana Bank, a South Korean financial institution that has supported her since her early career.
Career Stats
| Statistic | Total / Detail |
|---|---|
| LPGA Tour Wins | 23 |
| Major Championships | 3 (Evian 2015, ANA 2016, AIG Women’s Open 2024) |
| Olympic Medals | Gold (2024), Silver (2016), Bronze (2020) |
| Weeks at World No. 1 | 125 (Combined) |
| Low Round | 61 |
| Rookie of the Year | 2014 |
| Player of the Year | 2015, 2022 |
FAQs
1. Is Lydia Ko retiring from professional golf?
While Lydia Ko has hinted at early retirement in the past, she is actively playing the 2026 season. She started the year with new equipment adjustments, indicating she plans to continue competing for now.
2. How many major championships has Lydia Ko won?
Ko has won three major championships in her career. Her victories include the 2015 Evian Championship, the 2016 ANA Inspiration, and the 2024 AIG Women’s Open at St Andrews.
3. Did Lydia Ko qualify for the LPGA Hall of Fame?
Yes, she qualified for the LPGA Hall of Fame in August 2024. Winning the Gold Medal at the Paris Olympics gave her the final point needed for automatic induction into this prestigious group.
4. What clubs does Lydia Ko use?
Ko is an equipment free agent. She currently uses a Ping G440 K driver, Titleist Vokey wedges, and a Scotty Cameron putter, choosing clubs based on performance rather than sponsorship.
5. Who is Lydia Ko’s husband and what does he do?
Her husband is Jun Chung, whom she married. He is the son of a Hyundai executive and works in business development and finance, previously holding a role at the company Amber.
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