Heading into 2024, there appeared to be a real question mark over just how long Lydia Ko would continue her career after a disappointing 2023 season.
Lydia Ko had not won a major since 2016, while she was not even in the field for the CME Group Tour Championship in 2023. But she was able to prove a real point in 2024.
She was able to win the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions in January before going on to enjoy a phenomenal second-half of the season. Ko won the AIG Women’s Open at St Andrews, while she became the first player to collect all three medals since golf returned to the Olympic Games after winning gold in Paris.
It set up a real debate over whether Ko could beat Nelly Korda to the player of the year title – before the world number one did win The ANNIKA. And Ko has already opened her account at the start of 2025.
Lydia Ko leaves Dan Rapaport stunned after her latest victory
Ko won the HSBC Women’s World Championship by four shots this past week. It was the joint largest winning margin at the event since Lorena Ochoa won by 11 at the inaugural tournament in 2008.
Ko is now up to 23 wins on the LPGA Tour. And speaking on Dan on Golf, Dan Rapaport admitted that he could not quite believe how much she has managed to do before even turning 28.
“On the LPGA, Lydia Ko won the HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore, dominated. She won by four. That’s her 23rd win of her career. And this blew my mind, she’s still 27 years old. Isn’t that insane? Sometimes you look up a celebrity and you’re like how are they only 39? She’s still only 27. It’s crazy how much she’s accomplished in her career,” he said.
“She’s got more [wins] than Justin Thomas, more than Dustin Johnson. She’s got less than Rory McIlroy, but more than Jordan Spieth. Amazing career that just keeps on going.”
Ko showing signs of being able to outshine Nelly Korda in 2025
Ko finished in the top 10 on eight occasions in 20 starts on the LPGA Tour in 2024, while she has finished in the top 10 in two of her three starts so far this year.
While Nelly Korda could be extremely hit and miss at times, Ko seemed to discover some real consistency again last year – also making 18 cuts.
Along with Jeeno Thitikul, it is going to be fascinating who has the most successful year this season as all three players arguably the potential to be the dominant force over the coming months.
Receive exclusive golf news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
