Lydia Ko opens up about her struggles to get inducted into LPGA Hall of Fame, says Paris was "the coolest way to do it"

Lydia Ko won the gold medal at the Paris Olympics 2024 and was inducted into the LPGA Hall of Fame. In 2022, the New Zealand golfer was just two points short of earning the Hall of Fame honor. She struggled with her game in 2023 and did not win any tournaments. In 2024, Ko won the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions to take her total to 26 points.

However, the LPGA Hall of Fame requires 27 points to induct a player. Ko came close to winning several titles this season but narrowly missed out every time. She finished second at the LPGA Drive On Championship and tied for fourth at the Blue Bay LPGA. However, she finally secured her place in the LPGA Hall of Fame after winning the Olympic gold medal in Paris.

Following the final round at the Games, Lydia Ko said it was the "coolest way" to become a Hall of Famer.

"This is definitely the coolest way to do it. And I was -- you know, not going to lie, I was gutted when I lost in the playoff in Bradenton. I knew that Nelly had played amazing and that she finished amazingly. But still, I felt disappointed with the way that I had finished but I felt like if I kept working on the right things, it was going to happen," she said (via ASAP Sports).

The 27-year-old also discussed her 2024 season on the LPGA Tour. After winning the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, she struggled with her game during mid-season, missing back-to-back cuts at the Mizuho Americas Open and the U.S. Women's Open.

"I struggled a little bit in the middle of the season between like May and June, but I worked hard with my coaches and my coaches really made me feel more comfortable. I was telling one of my coaches that I feel really good, like better about my game, and for it to have all come together here at the Olympics, it's really cool. So it's rewarding for the whole team and family," she added.

At 27, Lydia Ko became the youngest player to be inducted into the LPGA Hall of Fame under the current criteria and the first from New Zealand to achieve the honor.

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Lydia Ko's Hall of Fame journey: Every point that sealed her legacy

To be inducted into the LPGA Hall of Fame, a player must fulfill two criteria. First, they must have won at least one of the following titles: an LPGA Tour Major, the Glenna Collett Vare Trophy, or the Rolex Player of the Year. Secondly, they must accumulate 27 points, which are awarded based on their victories.

Two points are awarded for winning a Major, while one is awarded for a victory on the LPGA Tour, the Rolex Player of the Year, the Glenna Collett Trophy, and an Olympic gold medal. Lydia Ko completed her 27 points after winning the gold at the Paris Olympics.

Below is the breakdown of the points Lydia Ko earned from her victories to become a member of the LPGA Hall of Fame:

• 2012 CPKC Women's Open: 1
• 2013 CPKC Women's Open 1 (2)
• 2014 Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic 1 (3)
• 2014 Dana Open 1 (4)
• 2014 CME Group Tour Championship 1 (5)
• 2015 ISPS Handa Women's Australian Open 1 (6)
• 2015 Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic 1 (7)
• 2015 CPKC Women's Open 1 (8)
• 2015 Amundi Evian Championship (Major) 2 (10)
• 2015 Taiwan Swinging Skirts LPGA 1 (11)
• 2015 Rolex Player of the Year 1 (12)
• 2016 Kia Classic 1 (13)
• 2016 The Chevron Championship (Major) 2 (15)
• 2016 Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G 1 (16)
• 2016 Dana Open 1 (17)
• 2018 LPGA MEDIHEAL Championship 1 (18)
• 2021 LOTTE Championship 1 (19)
• 2021 Glenna Collett Vare Trophy 1 (20)
• 2022 Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio 1 (21)
• 2022 BMW Ladies Championship 1 (22)
• 2022 CME Group Tour Championship 1 (23)
• 2022 Rolex Player of the Year 1 (24)
• 2022 Glenna Collett Vare Trophy 1 (25)
• 2024 Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions 1 (26)
• 2024 Gold Medalist at the Paris Olympics 1 (27)

Lydia Ko has won 20 LPGA Tour events, two Majors, and the Player of the Year title twice — in 2015 and 2022.