Ko LPGA Tour's Rookie of the Year


Lydia Ko has been named the LPGA Tour's Rookie of the Year. The teenage golfer from New Zealand clinched the points-based award with two tournaments still remaining on the tour's schedule.

Ko has two victories, two second-places and nine other top-10 finishes this year. She is No. 3 in the Rolex Rankings and only behind Inbee Park and Stacy Lewis.

Ko is also third in the Race to the CME Globe, a season-long points competition that will conclude next week at the CME Globe Tour Championship at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Fla.

The 17-year-old becomes the youngest-ever LPGA Rookie of the Year; 1973 honoree Laura Baugh was 18.

"It's really been a dream rookie season for me," said Ko. "I learned so much and am glad to have achieved some of my goals along the way. It's an honor to have my name now etched alongside such amazing players and legends of the game on the list of Rookie of the Year winners."

Ko is No. 4 on the LPGA Tour money list with just over $1.5 million. She's playing in the $1 million Lorena Ochoa Invitational, which starts Thursday in Mexico City.