Lydia Ko has won the Lonsdale Cup, which is the most prestigious honor for the New Zealand Olympic Committee. It is awarded to the athlete or team that has made the most outstanding contribution to an Olympic or Commonwealth sport.
The award has been given out annually since 1961. This is the second time Ko has won the prize, previously earning it in 2015 as well.
While the Lonsdale Cup is not necessarily given out only for performance in the Olympic games, Lydia Ko certainly earned it in Paris with her gold medal victory, the third time she has won an Olympic medal. While New Zealand won 10 gold medals, Ko’s was the biggest story, as it earned her a spot in the LPGA Hall of Fame.
In addition to the gold medal, Ko had one of the best seasons in the world of golf. She won three times on the LPGA Tour, including her third major at the AIG Women’s Open. She came in second for LPGA Tour Player of the Year and would have won in some other past years.
“I’m very grateful to receive the Lonsdale Cup for 2024,” said Ko. “Competing in the Olympic Games has been one of the biggest joys and one of the most honorable moments of my career, and my life.”
