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‘She’s Not With [Lululemon]’: A Shocking Lydia Ko Update Comes to Light Hours Before LPGA Tour Return

Published 01/18/2024, 3:36 AM EST

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This year has brought with it so many brand switches in the golf world that it has left the fans perplexed. Now one more big news about another athlete and top brand has come to light. This time it’s Lydia Ko, who reportedly seems to have split ways with her exclusive brand, Lululemon.

The news about Ko’s end-of-run relationship with the brand came from none other than the 2023 Fortinet Australian PGA Championship, Min Woo Lee. The 25-year-old, also the newest signee of the Vancouver-based brand, has become the brand’s first professional male golfer.

Has Lydia Ko bid adieu to an old partner?

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This week, the PGA Tour is hosting the American Express, where Lee is participating. During a press conference, he was asked if he’d do anything for the brand with Lydia Ko, who represents the brand on the women’s circuit. To this, Lee gave the surprising reply that Ko is no longer associated with the brand. “No, she’s not with them.” He repeated it twice. It is indeed an enormous shock, as there was no official announcement from the side of the brand or Ko herself.

The 2023 Fortinet Australian PGA Championship winner’s statement gains credibility as the LPGA is currently also hosting its inaugural event, the HGV Tournament of Champions, and during their presser, the Kiwi golfer was not seen wearing their clothes but was donning clothes by a brand called Renoma. It seems that all the official business surrounding Ko’s departure has been done in close quarters, and only the people associated with them share this knowledge.

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As for Lee, he enthusiastically gushed about how he came to sign with the Canadian brand. The 25-year-old explained that he noticed people wearing Lululemon, and the brand caught his attention. Upon parting ways with his former clothing brand, ImagineCre, his manager reached out to Lululemon. Speaking about his short experience with them, he said, “It’s one of the biggest companies in the world. I get to be some part of the designing process of it, which is incredible.”

 

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Lee also revealed that he takes style inspiration from fellow Australian Adam Scott. Praising Scott, he said, “Whatever he wears, it’s, it would look good. He’s a good-looking guy and he’s, yeah, he’s a good role model for golf,” and Lee looks up to him for fashion and game as well. However, he shared no more information about Ko’s split or the reasons behind it. Her association with the brand goes back five years.

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Lydia Ko’s brief run with Lululemon

In 2019, Ko became Lululemon’s elite ambassador. At that time, the brand wasn’t exactly a go-to golf clothing line, but Ko took a big leap of faith and signed with them. At the time, she said that the apparel also served her well during her yoga practice and stated, “They’re all about being mindful. I think that really plays into golf. It’s not just a physical aspect but it’s mental as well.” She spoke about the brand. “It’s great for golf.” After that, she was seen wearing only their clothes.

After Recouping From a Painful Form, Lydia Ko Expresses Her Honest Feelings of Being a Sponsor’s Invitee

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Thanks to this exposure in the coming years, Lululemon went on to be seen unofficially by many players. Their latest addition, Woo Lee, seems to be more than thrilled to work with them. However, it appears that their journey with Ko has come to an end now.

Watch this story – While Sworn Sister Lexi Thompson Goes Through Intense Browbeating, LPGA Legend Comes to Her Rescue In Style: “If I Could Pick…”

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Written by:

Shafaque Taha

745Articles

One take at a time

I am Shafaque Taha, a senior golf writer at EssentiallySports, and here I am living my dream as a storyteller. Combining the knowledge from my master's degree in English literature, which was driven purely out of my passion for reading and writing, with my interest in the serendipity that I believe golf brings, I look to bring words to life for readers with my niche golf coverage. My love for the sport stems from the calming greens and the rush of adrenaline one feels when on them, and I especially enjoy watching LPGA Tour professionals in action.
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Edited by:

Tushhita.barua

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