2024 just keeps getting better for Lydia Ko. The Olympic gold medalist was awarded the highest civilian honor of her country. You can call her Dame Lydia Ko now. The 27-year-old is the youngest to receive the National Honor.

The Cabinet Office of the New Zealand government said in its official announcement, “Lydia Ko is New Zealand’s most successful golfer with 30 professional victories, including having won three major championships, 22 LPGA tournaments, and three Olympic medals in her golfing career.”

Per the official website of the New Zealand government, the emphasis lies on the “service to the community or nation, and on merit and achievement, in whatever field, going beyond the normal requirements of duty or office.” Three times a year the honors lists are issued. Ko received the one on New Year’s Eve (December 30/31). Other than this, on the first Monday of June, honoring The King’s Birthday, the Kiwi government issues the list. The third one is a special list of bravery and gallantry awards. 

Any Kiwi national can fill out the nomination form. However, it lies with the King to take the final call. The Prime Minister, with the help of a Cabinet Committee of Ministers, examines all the nominations received. From there they select a few nominations to send to the King.

Interestingly, all nominated persons on the shortlist are asked for their consent for inclusion on behalf of the Governor-General. It’s anyone’s guess who nominated the name of Lydia Ko. Because the Kiwi government follows a strict rule of confidentiality regarding the source of nomination. And when Lydia Ko received the call for her consent, she was doubtful whether she even deserved the honor.

What was Lydia Ko’s first reaction to the news?

Lydia Ko was already feeling that it was a fairytale-like journey. Now, you can officially call it a fairytale. In a media interaction, the three-time major winner said, “It feels odd; you don’t grow up thinking you will have a Dame next to your name. It is an honor to be recognized by your country—those opportunities don’t come to everyone.” But here is the thing. Ko, forever the humble woman that she is, had doubts before accepting the honor. Was she worthy?

“I thought, ‘Do I deserve this?’ The only other golfer is Sir Bob Charles, I am guessing. To be alongside people like Sir Bob is a real honor.” Sir Bob Charles was the first left-handed pro to win a major at the 1963 Open Championship. Lydia Ko actually might be the youngest-ever Dame in the Commonwealth. She was the youngest ever, male or female, golfer to become a world no.1. And now another youngest honor is bestowed on her. Quite fitting. She will return to the greens at the HGV Tournament of Champions.