Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals Won in Three Olympic Appearances
"Final Olympics... I Will Prepare for the Next Competition"
New Zealand Korean Lydia Ko (27) won the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. With this gold medal, Lydia Ko achieved the 'medal slam' by winning gold, silver, and bronze Olympic medals, and also became the youngest member inducted into the LPGA Tour Hall of Fame, accomplishing two major milestones.
On the 10th (local time), Lydia Ko won the women's golf event at the 2024 Paris Olympics held at Le Golf National (par 72) in Guyancourt near Paris, finishing with a total score of 10-under 278.
On the 10th (local time), Lydia Ko of New Zealand, who won the women's individual golf event at the 2024 Paris Olympics held at Le Golf National in Guyancourt near Paris, France, is posing in front of the Olympic rings. [Photo by Yonhap News]
After winning, Lydia Ko said in an interview, "Until yesterday, I was tied for first place, and I thought today’s 18 holes would be the most important 18 holes of my life." She added, "Before this tournament, I said I might not have another Olympic opportunity, and I want to make it clear that this Paris Olympics is my last Olympics."
When asked if retirement was imminent, she replied, "I will soon move to the UK to prepare for the next tournament. It is difficult to predict the exact timing of retirement, and being inducted into the Hall of Fame might also have some influence. For now, I want to enjoy this moment and focus on finishing this season well before thinking more about it."
Lydia Ko married Jung Joon, son of Hyundai Card Vice Chairman Jung Tae-young, after two years of dating in 2022. Vice Chairman Jung visited the tournament venue to encourage Lydia Ko. Her husband Jung Joon was unable to attend the event.
Right after Lydia Ko’s victory, Vice Chairman Jung wrote on social media, "A family member played the most important game of their life today," and "Since she is so sincere about her work, I followed her today with great respect."
He also said, "I never dreamed that a day would come when I would cheer so much for a player who is not a South Korean national at the Olympics," and "The New Zealand supporters, who don’t know the background, kindly support us Asians who are cheering for their own country’s player."
Lydia Ko was born in Korea in 1997 and moved to New Zealand at the age of four. She currently holds New Zealand nationality. Showing talent in golf from a young age, Lydia Ko broke various youngest records and rose to the top.
At age 14 in 2012, Lydia Ko won the Australian Women’s Golf NSW Open, setting the record as the youngest winner of a professional tournament. In August of the same year, at age 15, she won the LPGA Tour Canadian Women’s Open, establishing the youngest winner record. She turned professional in 2013, achieving 20 wins on the LPGA Tour, and at age 17 in 2015, she became world number one, setting another youngest record.
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