There aren’t many athletes who can claim a Hall of Fame induction at age 27, but Lydia Ko has made a habit of rewriting the record books. This profile separates the verified facts from the speculation, covering her career earnings, marriage, major wins, and what comes next.

Born: 24 April 1997 · Turned Professional: 2013 · LPGA Tour Wins: 23 · Major Championships: 2 · Olympic Medals: Gold (2024), Silver (2016), Bronze (2020)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact net worth (estimates vary $10–20 million)
  • Precise endorsement deal values
  • Future ranking trajectory beyond 2025
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Continues chasing Annika Sorenstam’s all-time earnings mark
  • Possibly more major titles and further Hall of Fame honors

The 12 key data points below form the official record, with the LPGA acting as the primary source for career stats.

Field Value
Full Name Lydia Ko (Korean name: Bo-kyung Ko)
Date of Birth 24 April 1997
Place of Birth Seoul, South Korea
Residence Auckland, New Zealand / Florida, USA
Height 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
Turned Professional 2013
LPGA Tour Wins 23
Major Championships 2
Olympic Medals Gold (2024), Silver (2016), Bronze (2020)
LPGA Hall of Fame Inducted 2024
Spouse Jun Chung (married 2022)
Children None

Is Lydia Ko still married?

Yes, Lydia Ko is still married to Jun Chung. The couple wed in December 2022 in a private ceremony, as confirmed by bunkered (golf magazine). Jun Chung is the son of Hyundai Card vice-chairman and CEO Ted Chung (bunkered).

Who is Lydia Ko’s husband?

  • Jun Chung is a South Korean businessman (bunkered).
  • He is the son of Ted Chung, vice-chairman of Hyundai Card.
  • His estimated net worth is roughly $1.5 million, though this figure comes from Sportskeeda (sports entertainment site) and should be treated as a low-confidence estimate.

What does Lydia Ko’s husband do for a living?

Jun Chung works in business, reportedly involved with Hyundai Card and its parent company. Specific details of his day-to-day role are not publicly disclosed.

When did Lydia Ko get married?

Ko married Jun Chung in December 2022 (bunkered).

Bottom line: Ko’s marriage to Jun Chung is public and ongoing. Fans: the union has not affected her playing career. Onlookers: the husband’s net worth is widely speculated but unverified.

The implication: Ko’s personal life remains stable, allowing her to focus on golf.

How rich is Lydia Ko?

The LPGA official profile lists Ko’s career earnings at $21.8 million (LPGA (tour governing body)). That number places her second on the all-time LPGA money list, trailing only Annika Sorenstam by about $1.99 million as of March 2025 (Golfweek (sports news)).

What is Lydia Ko’s net worth?

How much has Lydia Ko earned in LPGA career?

As of the latest LPGA update, Ko’s on-course earnings total $21.8 million (LPGA). With endorsements, her net worth likely sits between $10 million and $20 million, though no audited figure exists.

The catch

Official LPGA earnings are transparent, but net worth estimates diverge wildly because endorsement contracts are never disclosed. For fans, the LPGA figure is the only verifiable number.

The pattern: Ko’s on-course earnings are verified, but total wealth remains speculative.

Does Lydia Ko have any children?

No. Lydia Ko does not have any children as of 2025 (Wikipedia). The couple has not publicly discussed plans for a family.

What to watch

If Ko were to take a break for family, it could affect her chase of Sorenstam’s earnings record. For now, the pursuit remains active.

The implication: Personal decisions may eventually impact her career trajectory.

Has Lydia Ko ever won a major?

Yes. Lydia Ko has won two major championships: the 2015 Evian Championship and the 2016 ANA Inspiration (Wikipedia). She also won the Olympic gold medal at the 2024 Paris Games, which although not a major, is considered a pinnacle event in golf (Wikipedia).

Which majors has Lydia Ko won?

  • 2015 Evian Championship (age 18)
  • 2016 ANA Inspiration (now Chevron Championship)

How many major wins does Lydia Ko have?

She has two major titles, plus an additional five top-5 finishes in majors through 2025.

How old is Lydia Ko?

Lydia Ko was born on 24 April 1997, making her 28 years old as of 2025 (LPGA).

When was Lydia Ko born?

She was born in Seoul, South Korea, on 24 April 1997, and raised in Auckland, New Zealand (Wikipedia).

Bottom line: At 28, Ko is in her athletic prime. For a sport where many players peak in their early 30s, she still has a decade of elite competition ahead.

The pattern: Age works in her favor for continued success.

What is Lydia Ko’s ranking?

Ko spent 104 weeks as world number one in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings (Wikipedia). As of early 2025, she sits inside the top 10 (LPGA).

What is Lydia Ko’s best ranking?

World number one, a position she first reached in 2016 and held for multiple separate stints totalling 104 weeks.

How many weeks was she world number one?

Exactly 104 weeks, making her one of the longest-reigning female golfers in history.

Why this matters

Ranking consistency matters in golf for tournament invitations and sponsor exemptions. Ko’s ability to stay inside the top 10 for nearly a decade after turning pro at 16 is unprecedented.

The implication: Her sustained ranking opens doors for endorsements and major berths.

Timeline: Lydia Ko’s career in key dates

  • 2001–2012: Youth career with multiple amateur wins; youngest winner of a USGA event (Wikipedia).
  • 2013: Turned professional at age 16; joined LPGA Tour (LPGA).
  • 2015: Won first major – Evian Championship (age 18) (Wikipedia).
  • 2016: Won second major – ANA Inspiration; reached world number one for first time (Wikipedia).
  • 2022: Married Jun Chung in December (bunkered).
  • 2024: Won Olympic gold medal in Paris; inducted into LPGA Hall of Fame (Wikipedia).
  • 2025: Continues competing on LPGA Tour; ranked inside top 10 (LPGA).

The pattern: Ko’s career has been a series of rapid ascents and sustained excellence.

Clarity: what’s confirmed and what’s not

Confirmed facts

  • Date of birth (24 April 1997) – LPGA
  • Marriage to Jun Chung (December 2022) – bunkered
  • No children as of 2025 – Wikipedia
  • Two major wins (Evian 2015, ANA 2016) – Wikipedia
  • LPGA career earnings >$19 million (official figure $21.8M) – LPGA
  • Olympic medals (gold, silver, bronze) – Wikipedia
  • 104 weeks at world number one – Wikipedia

What’s unclear

  • Exact net worth (estimates vary $10–20M)
  • Details of endorsement contract values
  • Future ranking trajectory
  • Whether she and her husband plan to have children
  • Exact value of endorsement deals with ECCO and Samsung (private contracts)
  • Specific timeline for chasing Sorenstam’s earnings record
  • Whether she will take a career break for family

The pattern: Verified data covers her professional stats; personal finances remain opaque.

Key voices on Ko’s career

“Ko’s move to second on the LPGA career money list is a milestone that underscores her consistency over more than a decade at the top.”

Golfweek (sports news)

“Lydia Ko is a New Zealand professional golfer and LPGA Hall of Fame member – a classification earned through 23 tour wins and two major titles.”

LPGA official profile

For Lydia Ko, the next chapter is clear: chase down Annika Sorenstam’s all-time earnings record, add more majors, and continue inspiring a generation of young golfers. For fans and analysts, the only uncertainty is which record she breaks first – not if.

Related reading

Frequently asked questions

What is Lydia Ko’s nationality?

New Zealand (born in South Korea, raised in New Zealand).

When did Lydia Ko start playing golf?

She started at age 5 in New Zealand.

What awards has Lydia Ko won?

LPGA Hall of Fame (2024), Olympic gold, silver, bronze, multiple Player of the Year awards.

What equipment does Lydia Ko use?

She uses Ping clubs (as of 2025).

What is Lydia Ko’s favorite golf course?

She has cited Ko Olina Golf Club in Hawaii in past interviews.

How many LPGA Tour player of the year titles does Lydia Ko have?

She has two LPGA Player of the Year awards (2022, 2024).

What is Lydia Ko’s swing coach’s name?

Her current coach is Ted Oh (as of 2025).

Where did Lydia Ko go to high school?

She attended Pinehurst School in Albany, New Zealand.

Bottom line: The pattern: These FAQs address common curiosities about Ko’s background and career.