Just 15, Lydia Ko continued to prove herself among the best women golfers in the world with a victory at last week's ISPS Handa New Zealand Women's Open.The win moved Ko up to 30th in the world and would have been worth $41,000 but, alas, she's still an amateur. With Ko and company heading into this week's LPGA season opener at the ISPS Handa Women's Australian Open, Golf Channel's Randal Mel takes a look at exactly how much she's leaving on the table.
As a pro, Ko would have taken home $41,000 for Sunday’s win in New Zealand (as converted to U.S. currency). Ko, however, remains an amateur and didn’t take home any of it. Last year, she left $300,000 on the table winning the CN Canadian Women’s Open. She left $19,000 on the table winning the New South Wales Open.
In 12 starts in professional events, Ko has won three times and finished second twice. Overall, as an amateur, she has "won" more than $470,000 in professional events that she hasn’t been able to collect due to her playing status.
Photo: Lydia Ko celebrates her win at the NZ Women's Open on Sunday. It was her third win in a professional event (Getty Images).In 12 starts in professional events, Ko has won three times and finished second twice. Overall, as an amateur, she has "won" more than $470,000 in professional events that she hasn’t been able to collect due to her playing status.
Source: Amatuer Lydia Ko's lost winnings approach $500,000