LPGA’s Commissioner, Michael Whan grants Lydia Ko LPGA Tour Membership commencing the start of the 2014 season. Lydia Ko is only 16 years old at this time and is the youngest in LPGA history to win and LPGA sanctioned event (2012 CN Canadian Women’s Open) at the tender age of 15 years and 4 months. She is currently ranked No. 5 in the Rolex World Ranking.
What is especially significant about the decision is that the LPGA policy states a female 18 years of age and older is allowed to apply for membership in the Association’s Tournament Division; however, females age 15-18 may be granted special permission to apply if they petition the Commissioner of the LPGA directly with the decision solely at the discretion of the standing Commissioner. So Lydia Ko had to reach out directly and formally to the Commissioner to apply and give testimony as to why she should be allowed to skip Qualifying School and become granted Membership to the LPGA Tour.
Miss Ko applied earlier this month to Commissioner Whan and just today (October 28, 2013) is was revealed that her request was granted.
Formal Statement by LPGA Commissioner Michael Whan:
“After reviewing Lydia Ko’s petition, I have granted her LPGA Tour membership beginning at the start of the 2014 season. This decision ensures that Lydia can attend all of our LPGA rookie development sessions that take place in the early part of the year.”
“As for her exact playing status for the 2014 season, Lydia will compete out of category 7 on the 2014 LPGA Priority List. Category 7 is reserved for players who have won an official LPGA event as a non-member in the previous calendar year. We are looking forward to having Lydia as a full-time member for the 2014 season. It is not often that the LPGA welcomes a rookie who is already a back-to-back LPGA Tour champion.”
Lydia Ko releases her statement today as well:
“I am very excited to become a member on the LPGA Tour. It has always been my dream goal to play on the LPGA, and play against the world’s best players. I know that becoming a member is not only performing well, but to deal with responsibilities very well. Women’s golf is growing day by day and I would love to be able to inspire other girls to take up the game, and go for it. I believe this is only the start to my career and I have many new things to learn along the way. I am so grateful to get the opportunity to play with the players I look up to and respect. I can’t wait to start the season early next year.”
Lydia Ko plans to compete in her first event as a professional at the 2013 LPGA’s season-ending CME Group Titleholders in Naples, Fla. the end of November. She earned spot in the tournament field by winning the 2013 CN Canadian Women’s Open.
Final Thoughts
Let us all at Bunkers Paradise congratulate Miss Lydia Ko on the next chapter in her incredible journey in golf. I for one see Miss Ko as a Hall of Fame golfer earlier than later–that is the talent she has inside. She has yet to tap into the core of the successful player she will be–multiple Major Championships and a plethora of LPGA Worldwide Titles.
Good Luck Miss Ko, may you hit all fairways, hit all greens in regulation and 1 putt each of them.
‘keep smiling and always believe’
