LPGA Hall of Famer Lydia Ko signs new deal with $3.99 billion net-worth sponsor
Lydia Ko has been named Hilton Grand Vacation’s new ambassador for the 2025 season. The company, worth $3.9 billion (via Forbes), is the title sponsor of the LPGA’s Tournament of Champions, an event Ko won in 2024. According to a press release issued by Hilton Grand Vacations (HGV) and published by Business Wire, Ko will participate in a number of exclusive activities throughout the year. These include private dinners, golf clinics and meet and greets.
Special Announcement! ⛳️
We are excited to report that Lydia Ko has joined our amazing group of HGV Brand Ambassadors! Be sure to watch her compete at the 2025 #HGVLPGA! pic.twitter.com/f9iIBnr0Mr— HiltonGrandVacations (@HiltonGrandVac) December 16, 2024
At the event announcing the partnership, Lydia Ko said: “I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know the team at HGV and playing in the tournament for several years. It’s one of LPGA’s most unique and exciting events, and I’m thrilled to become an official part of the HGV brand ambassadors this year.”
She added:
“I’m most looking forward to deepening my relationship with fans in new ways, and I can’t wait to begin that journey with the return of one of my favorite tournaments on the tour.”
Lydia Ko joins Hilton Grand Vacation’s roster of ambassadors, which also includes golf legend Annika Sorenstam and 6-time LPGA Tour winner Nasa Hataoka. Also serving as ambassadors for the company are former NSYNC member Joey Fatone and National Football League (NFL) Hall of Famer Charles Woodson, among others.
A look at Lydia Ko’s record at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions
Lydia Ko has played in three editions of what is now the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions. She finished eighth in 2019, while she tied for 10th in 2022. Her best performance in the event came this year, when she won the title. This victory ended a drought of more than a year without victories on the LPGA Tour and kicked off what would be a historic season for her. In this edition, Ko began with a first-round 69 that left her in a tie for fifth place, four shots behind interim leader Ayaka Furue. The following day, the Kiwi shot a second round of 67 to tie for the lead with the Japanese.
During the so-called moving day, Ko shot a 68 to take sole possession of the lead. Her fourth-round score of 70 was enough to win the title on 14-under, two strokes ahead of Alexa Pano. That victory was the start of another stellar season for Ko. At the time, she was one point shy of being inducted into the LPGA Hall of Fame, and she nearly did it a week later when she lost the LPGA Drive On Championship in a playoff to Nelly Korda.
Ko earned the missing point by winning the gold medal at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. It was also her third Olympic medal in as many appearances. Weeks later, the Kiwi won the AIG Women’s Open, the third Major championship of her professional golf career. She capped her 2024 season with a title at the Kroger Queen City Championship, her 22nd LPGA Tour victory.
