Lydia Ko doesn’t keep much around when it comes to memorabilia. She, of course, has the replica trophies from her historic back-to-back wins as an amateur at the CN Canadian Women’s Open in 2012 and 2013. But that’s basically it.
What she does have is her memories, and she remembers wearing a red shirt and black pants that day, representing the tournament colors and channeling her inner-Tiger Woods. The 27-year-old laid out a Sunday outfit of the same colors for this week’s CPKC Women’s Open in Calgary.
“I remember growing up a lot of my passwords were mini-Tiger,” she said, with a smile.
A three-time winner of this event, Ko marveled at the fact that so many fans came out to watch her play as a one-ball last year on Sunday in Vancouver.
“I honestly thought it would be just like my caddie and I and my sister and husband that was there watching,” she said, “and there were so many more people than I anticipated. I’ve gotten a lot of love in my results but also from the fans.”
Lydia Ko of New Zealand is doused with water by Stacy Lewis, Jiyai Shin and Jessica Korda in celebration of her three shot victory during the final round of the Canadian Women’s Open at The Vancouver Golf Club on August 26, 2012 in Coquitlam, Canada. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
A victory this week would be somewhat fitting for Ko, who earned her first two LPGA Hall of Fame points in Canada. She needs only one more to get to the 27 required to reach the LPGA Hall of Fame.
Ko’s play has cooled down of late. After starting off the season with a victory near her home in Lake Nona at the season-opener, Ko compiled a 70.04 scoring average in her first seven events of 2024. In her last six starts, however, her average jumped to 72.88.
Ko reports that she’s made a lot of progress since May, when she had a lot of questions.
A dozen years ago at Vancouver Golf Club, Ko simply wanted to make the cut and enjoy her time playing amongst the pros. Looking back, she almost wishes that first victory would’ve come a little later, because now she finds that every win is a bit more meaningful than the one before it.
“I wish, in ways, I could go back to that moment and really enjoy it and that feeling of walking down the 18th hole,” said Ko, who has now won this event three times. “But, yeah, if I can get my – not that it would be my last event – but like the last point to get into the Hall of Fame here at the Canadian Women’s Open, it would be very special.
“At that point, if I win one more time here, I should get like free citizenship or something.”