Lydia Ko, the youngest winner in LPGA Tour history, has been named sports ambassador for the 2012 Korea-New Zealand year of friendship.
New Zealand Ambassador to Korea Patrick Rata presented an award and certificate to the teenage golfing sensation Tuesday, designating her as its sports envoy.
At age 15 as an amateur, the South Korean-born New Zealander made history by winning the Canadian Women’s Open, an LPGA tournament, Aug. 26.
Lydia Ko (left) and Ambassador of New Zealand to Korea Patrick Rata pose for a photo in a ceremony designating Ko as the New Zealand Embassy’s sports ambassador at the embassy in Seoul on Tuesday. (New Zealand Embassy)
In accepting the award of sports ambassador, Ko talked about her pride in being a Kiwi and expressed her gratitude for the support from all New Zealanders.
Rata said Lydia was a perfect fit for the role, adding that all New Zealanders were proud of her victories at the Canadian Women’s Open and U.S. Women’s Amateur event.
Korea and New Zealand have designated 2012 as the official year of friendship. The year also marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations.
By Chun Sung-woo (
swchun@heraldcorp.com)
