Lydia Ko, the celebrated New Zealand golfer, shared a deeply personal tribute to her Olympic achievements during a recent appearance at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions. After reminiscing about actor Don Cheadle’s heartfelt video message congratulating her on her podium finish in Paris, Ko unveiled her newest tattoo, marking a milestone in both her athletic career and her personal journey.
The 27-year-old, who has more than 10 tattoos, explained that she commissioned her favorite tattoo artist in South Korea to design a piece that would honor her three Olympic medals. Each element of the tattoo is symbolic, representing the cities where she earned her Olympic triumphs, with the drawings arranged in order of her medal wins.
On the left side of the tattoo is a representation of the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, signifying her silver medal from the 2016 Rio Olympics. In the center is a sketch of Japan’s majestic Mount Fuji, which symbolizes her bronze medal from the 2020 Tokyo Games. To the right, the Eiffel Tower is etched in tribute to her gold medal performance in Paris, a victory that not only secured her place in Olympic history but also propelled her into the LPGA Hall of Fame.
In addition to revealing her new ink, Ko’s performance at the LPGA event further showcased her determination and skill. After carding an impressive 5-under 67 in the second round, she climbed the leaderboard and now sits at 4 under for the tournament, tied for seventh place. Ko trails the current leader, A Lim Kim, by six strokes.
Ko, who won this event last season, attributed part of her success to putting her favorite putter, the one she used throughout much of last year, back into her bag. With her home conveniently located just around the corner from the tournament, Ko noted how easy it is to make such equipment adjustments when you’re so close to the course.
As Ko continues her remarkable career, her new tattoo stands as a permanent reminder of her Olympic glory and the incredible journey she’s had on the global stage.
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