Lydia Ko has been made a Dame in the New Zealand New Year's Honours List 2025 for services to golf.

New Zealand's Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) has announced the New Year's Honours List 2025, which includes a Damehood for LPGA Hall of Famer Lydia Ko.

At 27-years-old, Ko becomes the youngest modern-era Dame or Knight in New Zealand, taking that mantle from British sailor Dame Ellen MacArthur, who was 28 when she was honoured.

DPMC made the annoucement

The DPMC said:

"Ms Lydia Ko is New Zealand’s most successful golfer with 30 professional victories, including having won three major championships, 22 LPGA tournaments, and three Olympic medals in her golfing career.

"Ms Ko won her first gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, her third Olympic medal in women’s golf. With her bronze medal from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and silver medal from the Rio 2016 Olympics, she attained the complete set of Olympic medals, becoming the first golfer in the modern era to achieve all three medals at three different Olympic Games. Her victory qualified her for the LPGA Hall of Fame, the 35th and youngest inductee at age 27. She was the youngest person ever to win a professional golf tour event and youngest person ever to win an LPGA Tour event.

"Following several wins on the LPGA Tour in 2015, she became the youngest player ever to be ranked No. 1 in professional golf and was named Halberg Sportswoman of the Year. In 2022 she won three LPGA tournaments, including the CME Group Tour Championship, which saw her win the season's money title, Vare Trophy for lowest scoring average and was awarded the 2022 LPGA Player of the Year.

"In 2024 she won the AIG Women's Open at St Andrews, her third major championship and the Kroger Queen City Championship. Ms Ko was a player director on the LPGA Board in 2022."

Dame Lydia Ko

Quoted in NewsTalkZB, Ko said:

“Those opportunities don’t come to everyone and for me to have this amazing opportunity, it makes me very proud.

"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.”

What a perfect way to finish off a career defining year. Congratulations Lydia!