During her teenage years, Lydia Ko was not just a prodigy, but at just 17, she almost completed golf. In 2014, she was Time magazine’s one of the most influential people in the world, and who can forget 2015 when she won five tournaments. However, despite such dominance in her teenage years, the New Zealander’s twenties defied the logic of sustaining that dominance.

The downfall was so bad that Ko even admitted later, “When things aren’t going well, you kind of wonder if you’re ever going to be back in the winner’s circle.” But just when she started to lose belief in herself, Ko found her “Prince Charming.” After a dull outing at the Marathon Classic in 2020, Ko met Chung Jun, son of Hyundai Card VC Chung Tae-young. From not winning almost anything, the youngest LPGA winner went on to win three titles in 2022 alone after nearly giving up on her career.

Currently the world No. 3, Ko, revisited this phase while speaking on the No Laying Up podcast. The 28-year-old opened up about a lesser-known part of her journey, the quiet but powerful role her husband played in helping her become who she is today.

“He made me realize that there’s more to life than golf,” the three-time major champion revealed how her husband made her feel more human. “Meeting him, I think, just opened my eyes to saying that.. Lydia Co is a golfer, but at the end of the day, she’s a human being…I’m no different from anybody else,” she added.

It was a turning point. Ko, who had spent most of her life in the spotlight, had rarely looked beyond scorecards and rankings. But when she met Chung Jun on a blind date in 2020, set up by mutual friends, things began to shift. The two eventually got married on December 30, 2022, at the Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul.

Chung brought a sense of balance to her life. He showed her there’s more to the world than the next tee time or leaderboard. That shift didn’t take away her hunger to compete. Instead, it reminded her that who she is off the course matters just as much as what she does on it.“He really um, taught me that. I’ve gotten to enjoy golf more..on a different outlook,” she added. With his support, Ko started to see herself in a new light.

Sure, her husband has been a big part of her journey, but he’s not the only one in her corner. Lydia Ko has also leaned on quiet supporters who have stood by her every step of the way, none more important than her sister and her longtime friend.

Lydia Ko’s Support System Is Bigger Than It Seems

Her sister, Sura Ko, has also played a big role in Lydia’s journey. She’s her sister, but also her manager, and someone Lydia leans on through every up and down. Their bond is built on years of trust and a shared love for the game. That connection came through in a recent Golf Channel video, where Sura sent a sweet congratulatory message after Lydia’s LPGA Hall of Fame induction. “Congrats, sweetie… you’re the most deserving person to get this,” she said. The message brought Lydia to tears and showed just how strong their sisterly bond really is.

One of them is Danielle Kang, who isn’t just a fellow pro to Ko,  she’s like family. The two have been friends for over 15 years, and their bond runs way deeper than golf. They’ve practiced side by side, traveled across the world, and leaned on each other through the grind of tour life. Kang once called Ko her “rock” and “bright light,” and honestly, that says it all.

 The trophies are nice, but for Lydia, it’s the people around her who make the journey truly special.