Lydia Ko What's In The Bag And Player Profile

Article Updated in March 2025

New Zealand's Lydia Ko moved clear of the rest of the field in the final round to win her first HSBC Women's World Championship in Singapore as Charley Hull faded.

Three-time major winner Ko began the final round one shot ahead of Hull.

But three successive birdies from the sixth put the 27-year-old Olympic and Women’s Open champion in a strong position and Ko finished with a round of 69 for a 13-under total, four clear of Thailand's Jeeno Thitikul and Japan's Ayaka Furue.

Hull, who said after Saturday's third round that she had been struggling with illness, slipped out of contention with a final two-over-par round of 74 for a seven-under total in a share of third.

Ko's victory was her first in 11 appearances at the event on the Tanjong Course at Sentosa Golf Club - and her 23rd LPGA win.

She said: "I just wanted to focus on my game as it was a pretty tight leaderboard. I didn't know if I would win. But to win here in Singapore and get all the love, not only this year but for the years that I've come, it means a lot."

Player Profile

Ko was born in Seoul, South Korea on April 24, 1997 but grew up in New Zealand.

She first reached number one in the world rankings on February 2, 2015, aged just 17 years, 9 months and 9 days, making her the youngest player of either gender to be ranked No. 1 in professional golf.

Until 2017, she was the youngest ever (age 15) to win an LPGA Tour event. In August 2013, she became the only amateur to win two LPGA Tour events. 

Upon winning The Evian in France on September 13, 2015, she became the youngest woman, at age 18 years, 4 months and 20 days, to win a major championship. Her closing round of 63 was a record lowest final round in the history of women's golf majors, but she lowered that with a 62 at the 2021 ANA Inspiration. She had previously won the same event in 2016 for her second consecutive major championship, where she also became the youngest player to win two women's major championships.

In 2014, Ko was named as one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people. In 2014 and 2015, she was named in the EspnW Impact25 list of 25 athletes and influencers who have made the greatest impact for women in sports.

In 2016, Ko was named Young New Zealander of the Year and in the 2019 New Year Honours she was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to golf.

In November 2022, Ko won the CME Group Tour Championship with its $2 million first prize, completing the season with three wins, the LPGA Player of the Year award, the Vare Trophy for the lowest scoring average, the 2022 leading money winner and rose to number two in the world rankings.

She won a gold medal at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, which qualified her for the LPGA Hall of Fame, the 35th and youngest inductee at age 27. Combined with her bronze from the Tokyo games and silver from Rio in 2016 she is the first golfer in the modern era to achieve all three medals at three different Olympic Games.

She has career earnings of more than $20m. 

She crowned 2024 by winning the Women’s Open at St Andrews, which was her 21st victory. She now has 23 wins on the LPGA Tour and 113 top 10s, eight LET victories, five ALPG Tour successes and one win on the LPGA of Korea Tour.

Last 10 Results

HSBC Women's World Championship - 1st

Founders Cup presented by U.S. Virgin Islands - T48th

Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions - 6th

Grant Thornton Invitational - 6th

CME Group Tour Championship - 3rd

The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican - T14th

BMW Ladies Championship - T12th

Kroger Queen City Championship presented by P&G - 1st

AIG Women's Open - 1st

ISPS Handa Women's Scottish Open - 9th

Key Stats

Driving Distance - 248.42 Yards

Driving Accuracy - 75.00%

Greens in Regulation - 74.07%

Sand Saves - 76.92%

Putts Per Round - 29.67

Scoring Average - 69.42

Lydia Ko - What's In The Bag

Driver: PING G430 MAX 10K (9 Degrees)

Fairway Woods: PING G440 LST (5 Degrees), PING G440 MAX (17 Degrees)

Utility: PING G430 Hybrid (4 Iron 22 Degrees)

Irons: Ping i230 (5-7), Ping Blueprint S (8, 9)

Wedges: Titleist VOKEY SM10 (P, G, 54, 59 Degrees)

Putter: Scotty Cameron P5 GSS Tour Prototype

Golf Ball: Titleist Pro V1x