It's Official -- Lydia Ko Is Going Pro

OneSport in New Zealand has confirmed that Lydia Ko intends to show seasoned. You can see their video file at this link. But this is just the start of the story.

Here are a few different articles that give greater attitude at the story:

• First, here's the Golf Channel article by Randall Mell from Wednesday about her decision to turn pro and when.
• Golf.com has an article about Lydia's petition to the LPGA.
• Golf Digest has an article about the potential "costs" to Lydia for turning pro this early.
• This Golf Channel article, also by Randall Mell, from late August gives you some comparision with what's being said now.

The trick here is that Lydia can turn pro without the LPGA's permission. She's filing for membership, not the right to turn pro. She has already qualified for the Titleholders tournament, so she would get whatever money she wins there. She's also considering a place in Lorena's tournament the week before, so she would get that money also. In fact, she'll be able to accept money in any pro tournament she decides to play.

There is some debate over whether or not Michael Whan will be given her petition or now not. As I recognize it, New Zealand requires 13 years of college so accepting her petition might be construed as approving of her losing out. Given that she's controlled to hold up her schoolwork at the same time as playing so many tournaments already, I do not think that is probable to be a massive influence on his decision.

And at the same time as he did flip down Ariya Jutanugarn's petition, it's profitable to be aware that Ariya didn't have a pro win on the time. Lexi Thompson had 2 wins, one every at the LPGA and LET, and he customary hers. Since Lydia has 4 pro wins, which includes LPGA and one LET, and is likewise #five inside the Rolex World Rankings, I suspect he will take delivery of her petition and probable make it valid on her 17th birthday on April 24.

Even if Michael Whan turns down her petition, I nevertheless see a few logic in Lydia turning seasoned now. There are many extra restrictions on what number of LPGA tournaments she will be able to play as an novice; by turning pro, she'll at least open the doorways to Monday qualifying. And given how an awful lot it have to value to journey round the arena playing golfing, and what sort of cash others are making off of her efforts, it absolutely appears asinine to refuse to get paid!

But regardless of what happens at LPGA Headquarters, it seems secure to mention that the pros are about to get their wallet picked via a teen. A lot. And deeply.

The photo came from the golf.Com article.