LPGA Hall of Famer Lydia Ko receives New Zealand civil honour for her services to golf

Lydia Ko received one of her country's highest civilian honors during the New Year celebrations. The LPGA Hall of Famer was named Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (DNZM) for services to golf.

Ko was named a Member of the Order (MNZM) in 2016. With her new status, she will have the right to add the title "Dame" to her name.

Upon receiving this recognition, Dame Lydia Ko had this to say (via The New Zealand Herald):

"Those opportunities [of being recognized as Dame] don’t come to everyone and for me to have this amazing opportunity, it makes me very proud."

She added:

"I think it’s a moment that’s special for all of us, obviously it’s special for the person but it’s a recognition for everyone involved because I wouldn’t be here today without them."

The report also indicates that Ko claimed that she spent time deciding whether or not to accept this honor because she was not sure she deserved it.

"I did think about it, because you don’t really grow up thinking, 'Oh, I’m going to become a dame'. You might say, 'I’m going to become a Hall of Famer,' or, 'I’m going to be the world No 1 in my sport,' but it’s so above [those] and very different and above what we can control as well," Lydia Ko said.

She added:

"I thought about do I deserve it? Is this the right time? But I always feel like to have these kind of opportunities and for someone else to bring it up, it’s not my idea and I’m obviously very grateful that other people are giving me this opportunity ... not everybody gets that."

Lydia Ko joins Sir Bob Charles as the only New Zealand professional golfers to be named a Dame or Knight in her country's Order of Merit. Charles won 80 tournaments during his career, including The Open Championship in 1963.

The New Zealand Order of Merit is the second highest award in the country's honors system. The status of Dame or Knight Companion of the Order is the second highest status, after Dame or Knight Grand Companion.

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Other honors received by Lydia Ko

Lydia Ko (27) is the youngest woman to be named a Dame in the New Zealand Order of Merit. This recognition adds to the many honors the player has received during her successful professional career.

In 2024, Ko became just the 26th player to be inducted into the LPGA Hall of Fame, the latest of her sports honors. Here is a list of the most significant:

• Mark H. McCormack Medal (to the leading player in the world amateur ranking) – 2011, 2012, 2013
• Halberg Supreme Award (to New Zealand top sporting achievements)– 2013
• New Zealand Sportswoman of the Year – 2013, 2014, 2015
• LPGA Rookie of the Year – 2014
• LPGA Player of the Year – 2015, 2022
• LPGA Tour Money Winner – 2015, 2022
• LPGA Vare Trophy (to the player with the lowest scoring average) – 2021, 2022
• Rolex Annika Major Award (to the best performer in major championships)- 2016
• William and Mousie Powell Award (to a player whose behavior and deeds best exemplifies the spirit, ideals and values of the LPGA) - 2021
• Best Female Golfer ESPY Award – 2015, 2016
• Race to the CME Globe – 2014, 2015, 2022
• GWAA Female Player of the Year – 2015, 2022
• LPGA Hall of Fame – 2024

These awards reflect a career in which Ko has won 30 professional tournaments, including 22 on the LPGA Tour (3 majors). She has also won three Olympic medals, including gold at Paris 2024.