Ko’s win makes golf history

Lydia Ko has completed a stunning first season as a professional golfer by snaring $1.9 million in Florida.

It’s the biggest single payday in women’s golf history, and the first thing on her shopping list is a bag for her mum.

The 17-year-old Pinehurst School student and Gulf Harbour Country Club member pocketed all the spoils, winning the LPGA Tour’s season ending Tour Championship in Naples early Monday (NZT).

It was her third victory in 26 starts this year – and also the Race to the CME Globe title, the tour’s inaugural season-long points race.

Ko wins US$500,000 (NZ$630,000) for the tournament victory, achieved after a four-hole playoff, and a bonus of US$1m (NZ$1.26m) for winning the LPGA Tour’s equivalent of the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup.

That’s NZ$ 1.9m for her week’s work, more than doubling her entire season’s earnings which now sit at more than NZ$3.6m.

‘‘When I saw that US$1m in the box, I was like ‘wow, I wonder who the winner of that will be?’ It’s amazing,’’ she says.

‘‘I’ve never seen that much cash in one place before. This year has been awesome. Three wins, rookie of the year, it’s a huge honour for me.’’

Ko says she tried not to think about the cash down the stretch.

‘‘Even playing out there today I just set myself the goal to make myself as many birdies and just go out there and have fun. I’m excited that the season is over but it’s been great.

‘‘This has been a big year, a roller- coaster ride. I’ve learnt so much this year, like these kind of playoffs – my first as a professional. I’ve been learning a lot. I think next year’s going to be a fun year.’’

Ko says one of the first things she would buy with her winnings was an expensive bag for her mum, Tina, who travels to most events with her and has caddied for her in the past.