By Torleif Sorenson on 10/28/13

Lydia Ko, proving that golf is the ultimate meritocracy

Credit to LPGA Commissioner Michael Whan for making the correct decision more quickly than he did last time (re: Lexi Thompson). From From the LPGA's official statement:

"After reviewing Lydia Ko's petition, I have granted her LPGA Tour membership beginning at the start of the 2014 season. This decision ensures that Lydia can attend all of our LPGA rookie development sessions that take place in the early part of the year.

"As for her exact playing status for the 2014 season, Lydia will compete out of category 7 on the 2014 LPGA Priority List. Category 7 is reserved for players who have won an official LPGA event as a non-member in the previous calendar year. We are looking forward to having Lydia as a full-time member for the 2014 season. It is not often that the LPGA welcomes a rookie who is already a back-to-back LPGA Tour champion."

Indeed, Ko demolished any logical opposition to her gaining tour status before turning age 18 not only by virtue of winning an official tour event, but winning her second consecutive Canadian Women's Open in August. Now, Ko goes from being the world's number one amateur golfer to standing fifth in the Rolex Women's World Golf Rankings.

In their published statement, the LPGA included this from Ko:

"I am very excited to become a member on the LPGA Tour. It has always been my dream goal to play on the LPGA, and play against the world's best players. I know that becoming a member is not only performing well, but to deal with responsibilities very well. Women's golf is growing day by day and I would love to be able to inspire other girls to take up the game, and go for it. I believe this is only the start to my career and I have many new things to learn along the way. I am so grateful to get the opportunity to play with the players I look up to and respect. I can't wait to start the season early next year."

In this writer's opinion, the only remaining unanswered question is this: Which golfer will win a major championship first — Lydia Ko or Lexi Thompson?

Make no mistake, it will be fun to watch and see what happens.


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Image via Twitter, Lydia Ko