Lydia Ko Wins LPGA Season-Ender, Banking Largest Payday in Tour History
Lydia Ko has finished her first full season as a professional golfer on the LPGA Tour by winning the CME Group Tour Championship and earning the tour’s biggest-ever payday, $1.5 million USD.
On Sunday the Callaway golfer was on point, shooting a 68 in the final round that included hitting 21 out of 22 greens in regulation as well as all 18 fairways. The impressive round ultimately forced a 3-way playoff between Ko, Carlota Ciganda and Julieta Granada. With Ko pushing her way through to victory on the 4th hole.
A win that earned the 17-year-old a $500,000 USD purse on top of her $1 million USD bonus for winning the Race to the CME Globe season-long points competition.
Yet, despite all her success and the inevitable comparisons to other greats including Tiger Woods, the newly crowned Rookie of the Year continues to remain calm and humble.
“When I saw that $1 million in the box, I was like, ‘Wow, I wonder who the winner of that will be?’ It's amazing. I've never seen that much cash in one place before,” Ko told reporters after Sunday’s win. “This year has been awesome. Three wins, Rookie of the Year, it's a huge honor for me to be here in this position.”
Adding, “I'm looking forward to what's coming up next year.”
So are we Lydia!
