Lydia Ko returned to the LPGA this week with a kind gesture of hospitality towards her fellow players and staff, treating them to a Korean-style barbecue dinner near the BMW Ladies Championship’s official hotel in South Korea. Among those in attendance were Rose Zhang, Jeeno Thitikul, Lauren Coughlin, Megan Khang, Hinako Shibuno, and Celine Boutier. Chella Choi, who started this tradition as a thank you to LPGA staff almost 15 years ago, was also part of the gathering.
Ranked No. 3 in the world, Ko has an impressive record at the BMW over the past three seasons, with a combined score of 52 under par, which is 11 strokes better than any other player in that period. She finished in the top three at the event in 2021 and 2023 and has won the tournament in 2022. The three-time LPGA winner this season, Ko qualified for the LPGA Hall of Fame this summer after winning a gold medal at the Paris Olympics. This victory made her the youngest member, entering at the age of 27 years, 3 months, and 17 days.
Ko currently ranks fourth on the LPGA money list this season, with earnings totaling $2,569,317. The BMW Ladies Championship field includes 17 of the 18 winners from this season, with the No. 1 player Nelly Korda missing due to a minor neck injury sustained during practice. The event is hosted at the Seowon Valley Country Club for the second year in a row, with Minjee Lee winning the tournament in 2023.
Lydia Ko’s recent success dates back to August when she finished eighth at the CPKC Women’s Open, followed by an Olympic gold medal and a major championship victory at the AIG Women’s British Open at St. Andrews. She continued her winning streak at the Kroger Queen City Championship in Ohio, before finishing 10th at the Hana Financial Group Championship on the KLPGA in South Korea. This marks Ko’s 11th season on the LPGA, with five seasons in her career where she has won at least three times, achieving a maximum of five wins in the 2015 season.
