Lydia Ko
Since tying the knot with Jun Chung, she has gained recognition for her love of recreational golf. Her spouse appears to be thoroughly enamored with the sport as well. During their honeymoon in New Zealand, they enjoyed teeing off together often. Additionally, she took on the role of carrying his bag during a U.S. Am Tour competition where he competed.
After
Ko secured her 23rd career title in Singapore.
Earlier this month, the pair embarked on a golfing adventure. Ko visited Pebble Beach for a sponsored excursion and followed up with a round at Cypress Point the following day. Additionally, they tackled courses like Lake Merced—where she has achieved great victories and thus earned herself a commemorative plaque on the 18th fairway—and Pasatiempo Golf Club. Altogether, they managed around eight rounds over a span of ten days.
It was during a visit in December that things became particularly intriguing. This was when Ko and her spouse had their inaugural experience at Augusta National.
“I messaged Jason Day following my initial round saying that this course is extremely challenging,” Ko mentioned.
With a chuckle, she added, “I’m thrilled I’m not competing with this because it would whoop my behind.”
Ko and her spouse participated in two rounds at Augusta National along with another pair. Ko scored 71 on her first ball and followed up with a 70 on her second attempt.
Due to the segregated nature of the greens, it was extremely challenging to get very near to the pins and create numerous birdie chances,” stated Ko. “However, on the final day, I concluded with a birdie at hole 18, which turned out to be an ideal way to wrap up my visit.
Ko, who teamed up with Day to claim victory at the first-ever Grant Thornton Invitational,
In 2023, she mentioned that for each hole at Augusta, when reaching the tee box, her response was identical:
Incredible, this isn’t at all how I imagined it would appear.
I believe the elevation and the design of the holes played a significant role. Initially, I assumed it would be a mild dogleg, yet hole number two turned out to be extremely downhill, veering slightly to the left with the slope running from left to right. It really made me realize something; even though this seems relatively straightforward for the players, it still presented an unexpected challenge.
Ko made her initial trip to Augusta National in 2016 where she received the Golf Writers Association of America Female Player of the Year award. As part of the experience, she carried Kevin Na’s bag during the Par 3 Contest and took a swing at the ninth hole, coming within just three feet of the pin with her shot.
The renowned member of the LPGA Hall of Fame did not get to see anything past the driving range and the Par 3 course during her visit. She described this as an extraordinary moment that would only happen once in her lifetime.
Regarding the cuisine at Augusta National, Ko mentioned that their flight to Atlanta was delayed, leading her to try Chick-fil-A for the first time at the airport. She found herself particularly fond of the waffle fries and Chick-fil-A Sauce, choosing instead to maintain a healthier diet with the grilled nuggets.
Upon arriving at the club, though, she treated herself to some fried chicken.
Ko remarked, “That certainly ranks as one of the most unforgettable parts,” going on to say, “Fried chicken and French fries are my weakness.”
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Lydia Ko participated in the Augusta tournament. Below are her thoughts, her score, and what she consumed.
