Lydia Ko poses with a box of $1 million in cash -- her prize for winning the Race to the CME Globe. The teenager also scooped the LPGA Player of the Year award to cap off an outstanding weekend.
Lydia Ko poses with a box of $1 million in cash -- her prize for winning the Race to the CME Globe. The teenager also scooped the LPGA Player of the Year award to cap off an outstanding weekend.
Sam Greenwood/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
Golf's golden girl climbed to a world ranking of No. 1 when she was only 17 -- four years younger than Tiger Woods when he claimed the top spot for the first time.
Golf's golden girl climbed to a world ranking of No. 1 when she was only 17 -- four years younger than Tiger Woods when he claimed the top spot for the first time.
Gareth Gay/Getty Images
Ko is flanked by an honor guard of Royal Canadian Mounties after her record-breaking win at the 2012 Canadian Open. At just 15 years and four months, the New Zealander became the youngest winner of an LPGA Tour event.
LPGA record breaker —
Ko is flanked by an honor guard of Royal Canadian Mounties after her record-breaking win at the 2012 Canadian Open. At just 15 years and four months, the New Zealander became the youngest winner of an LPGA Tour event.
Harry How/Getty Images
Even before she had become a teenager, South Korea-born Ko was a force in amateur tournaments in New Zealand -- here taking part in an event in 2009.
Early success —
Even before she had become a teenager, South Korea-born Ko was a force in amateur tournaments in New Zealand -- here taking part in an event in 2009.
Hannah Johnston/Getty Images
Ko and 2013 British Open champion Stacey Lewis on the famous Swilcan Bridge at St. Andrews with their trophies. Ko was leading amateur and is tipped to win the professional title in future years.
Major ambition —
Ko and 2013 British Open champion Stacey Lewis on the famous Swilcan Bridge at St. Andrews with their trophies. Ko was leading amateur and is tipped to win the professional title in future years.
David Cannon/Getty Images
Ko returned to Canada in 2013 to repeat her previous year's groundbreaking success in the LPGA event.
Canada double —
Ko returned to Canada in 2013 to repeat her previous year's groundbreaking success in the LPGA event.
Stephen Dunn/Getty Images
Clinching her seventh LPGA Tour victory just two days after her 18th birthday in April 2015, Ko defended her Swinging Skirts title in California by winning a playoff.
LPGA Tour hat-trick —
Clinching her seventh LPGA Tour victory just two days after her 18th birthday in April 2015, Ko defended her Swinging Skirts title in California by winning a playoff.
Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images
Ko has racked up just under $5 million in earnings since turning professional in October 2013.
Love of the game —
Ko has racked up just under $5 million in earnings since turning professional in October 2013.
Sam Greenwood/Getty Images
Guy Wilson, a club professional in Auckland, coached Ko from her first introduction to golf at the age of five until their association ended in December 2013.
Mentor to a prodigy —
Guy Wilson, a club professional in Auckland, coached Ko from her first introduction to golf at the age of five until their association ended in December 2013.
Ko is in big demand in New Zealand for public appearances, and took time out at a VIP launch of a mobile phone product in Auckland.
Celebrity status —
Ko is in big demand in New Zealand for public appearances, and took time out at a VIP launch of a mobile phone product in Auckland.
Fiona Goodall/Getty Images
Lydia Ko: The 18-year-old golfing great

Story highlights

Lydia Ko pockets $1 million LPGA Tour prize

Teen finished top of the season's points list

American Cristie Kerr won season-ending event

CNN  — 

While most teenagers spend their weekends planning their social lives, Lydia Ko earned $1 million and was named the women’s Player of the Year.

The 18-year-old retained the Race to the CME Globe title – given to the golfer who wins the most points during the LPGA Tour season – to pick up her bumper prize.

Ko finished joint seventh at the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship in Italy.

“It’s been a long season of ups and downs as well, mainly ups, but I think every emotion went through me today,” said Ko, who was reduced to tears during an emotional final round.

“What triggered the tears more is what a tough day it was.

“I tried to stay patient all day and even up to the last minute I had a putt lip out, so it was tough, but it’s been a long season. I think the hole was smaller than the ball today.

“I’m happy that the season is over and I can relax now.”

South Korean Inbee Park and American Lexi Thompson could have both finished above Ko, but missed birdie putts on the penultimate hole to hand the New Zealander top spot.

Thompson’s compatriot Cristie Kerr won the tournament by one stroke after finishing on 17 under par – six shots ahead of Ko. The 38-year-old pocketed $500,000 to move past $17 million in career prize money.

On top of her CME Globe title success, Ko also picked up the LPGA Player of the Year award, becoming the youngest player in its 49-year history to do so.

In September, she won her first major title at the Evian Championship in France, and October’s victory at the co-sanctioned Taiwan event was her fifth success this season.

“At the start of the week, I would say the biggest trophy that would mean a lot to me would be the Rolex Player of the Year,” Ko told LPGA.com.

“I’m so thankful to my team. I’m still emotional.”

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