Lydia Ko is now admired for her kindness and quiet resilience, but few know that her journey didn’t start that way. At one point, she saw herself as a “crappier human” when her performance on the golf course didn’t meet expectations. Everything changed when someone entered her life and helped her shift her mindset—not just about golf, but about herself.
In a recent episode of the No Laying Up podcast, Ko shared a more personal side of her story, highlighting the quiet but impactful influence her husband has had on her transformation.
“He helped me see that life isn’t only about golf,” Ko said, explaining how her family had devoted so much to her career that the sport became her entire world. Her husband played a key role in helping her rebuild her career from one that was heavily controlled by her parents to one she could own for herself.
Ko also opened up about her close bond with her mother, who remains her biggest inspiration. She recalled how her mother made significant sacrifices—driving her to tournaments all over New Zealand and even flying with her to the U.S. when she was just 11 or 12 years old. At that time, there were no GPS systems, so her mother had to rely on printed maps and spend hours navigating unfamiliar roads to support her daughter’s passion. For Lydia, excelling at golf was a way to repay those sacrifices.
She believes this mindset helped her achieve incredible milestones—like winning her first professional tournament at age 15 and accumulating 23 professional wins, including three major championships. Currently ranked No. 3 on the LPGA Tour, her rise to success wasn’t without emotional cost.
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Ko admitted that during times when her performance dipped, she felt it deeply—not just on the scoreboard but emotionally. Golf had such a grip on her identity that it affected her day-to-day well-being. That was until her husband helped her see a new perspective: that she was more than just a golfer.
“Meeting him opened my eyes. I realized that Lydia Ko the golfer is also just a human being like everyone else,” she shared. This shift came after they met on a blind date in 2020 through mutual friends. They later got married on December 30, 2022, in Seoul at Myeongdong Cathedral.
Her husband brought balance into her life, showing her there’s more to focus on than rankings and tee times. That new mindset didn’t diminish her desire to compete—it simply changed the way she enjoyed the game. With his support, she started appreciating golf with a fresh outlook. While her talent is undeniable, Ko now understands her worth doesn’t depend solely on her achievements.
But her husband isn’t the only person who’s been part of this evolution. Lydia has leaned heavily on a few key people—none more important than her sister and a close friend on tour.
Her sister, Sura Ko, doubles as her manager and is a constant source of encouragement. Their strong bond was evident in a recent video shared by the Golf Channel, where Sura emotionally congratulated Lydia on her LPGA Hall of Fame induction. The message moved Lydia to tears, a touching sign of how deeply their relationship runs.
Another crucial figure in her life is fellow pro golfer Danielle Kang. The two have been close friends for more than 15 years. They’ve practiced, traveled, and supported one another through the highs and lows of tour life. Kang has even referred to Ko as her “rock” and “bright light,” a testament to their deep connection.
While trophies and rankings are a part of her story, Lydia Ko’s journey is truly shaped by the people who’ve stood by her—helping her grow not just as a golfer, but as a person.