Is Lydia Ko South Korean? Representing New Zealand at Olympics, Ethnic Background of LPGA Pro Explored
Lydia Ko, a sensational golfer, is proudly representing New Zealand in Paris. Yet, her surname and features reveal a fascinating duality—a South Korean heritage that sets her apart. She is battling for the gold with the silver fern emblem at the Paris Olympics. But fans can’t help but wonder: What’s behind Ko’s connection to New Zealand? And more importantly, how does her South Korean upbringing influence her golfing journey?
The answer lies in her journey, which spans continents and challenges traditional notions of nationality and allegiance. Lydia Ko was born in Seoul, South Korea, on April 24, 1997, but moved to New Zealand with her family when she was 4. Ko got her permanent citizenship in NZ in 2009, when she was 12.
Ko’s parents, Hyeon Bong-ko and Tina Hyon, are both Korean, but they chose to raise their daughter in New Zealand. The 27-year-old began playing golf at age 5, and by the age of 7, she was competing in the New Zealand national amateur championships. Meanwhile, Ko’s birthplace produced a wealth of talented women golfers, but she faced a different reality in New Zealand. With limited golfing resources and a smaller player base, she had to overcome significant obstacles to hone her skills.
When speaking with the Olympic media, she recalled, “When I was growing up, [golf] wasn’t a big thing, especially in New Zealand, and trying to go to golf courses was difficult, and trying to get the right practice facilities.” The 2-times major winner added, “I remember my parents got a pair of sneakers, and then they would take it to like a shoe alteration place and get spikes put on it rather than like buy junior golf shoes as they weren’t readily available.”
Undeterred, Ko persevered and flourished, paving her own path to success. Now, at 27, she’s representing New Zealand for the third time in the coveted Olympic Games. Her previous two outings were marked by success, claiming a silver medal in the 2016 Rio Olympics and a bronze medal in the Tokyo Olympics held in 2021—a testament to her talent, determination, and strength. She is now hoping to complete her medal trifecta.
Her prodigious talent and dedication were evident from a remarkably young age, setting the stage for a record-breaking career.
Lydia Ko’s early achievements, rising to the top
In 2012, the Kiwi golfer turned heads by winning the Canadian Open and becoming the youngest LPGA Tour title winner at just 15 years and four months old. But that was only the beginning. She made history again in 2013 as the only amateur to win two LPGA Tour events. Moreover, her victory at the 2015 Evian Championship cemented her status as the youngest major champion.
Furthermore, at just 17 years, 9 months, and 9 days old, she shattered records by becoming the youngest female golfer to reach number one in the Women’s World Golf Rankings. With 20 LPGA Tour wins under her belt, her remarkable journey shows no signs of slowing down. She is now hoping to enter the LPGA Hall Of Fame, and a gold at Le Golf National would do that for her.
Will she recapture her former glory in the City of Love? Well, it would be the perfect crowning achievement for a golfer who has already achieved so much.
