Lydia Ko Withdraws from 2025 Chevron Championship, Cites Heartbreaking Personal Loss

The Woodlands, Texas, April 21, 2025 – The golfing community is in mourning as World No. 2 Lydia Ko announced her withdrawal from the 2025 Chevron Championship, the LPGA’s first major of the season, due to a deeply personal and heartbreaking reason. Breaking her silence in an emotional press conference earlier today, the 27-year-old New Zealand star revealed that the recent passing of a close family member has left her unable to compete, sending shockwaves through the sport and prompting an outpouring of support from fans and players alike.

Ko, visibly tearful while speaking in front of a microphone, shared the devastating news with a heavy heart. “I’m so sorry to say I won’t be able to play at the Chevron Championship this week,” she said, her voice breaking. “We’ve had a significant loss in our family, and I need to be with my loved ones during this time. This tournament has always been special to me, but right now, family comes first.” Ko, who won the Chevron Championship in 2016 at Mission Hills, has a storied history with the event, making her absence all the more poignant. Her withdrawal marks the second consecutive year she will miss the tournament at The Club at Carlton Woods, following a cut miss in 2023 after a rain-delayed second round.

The LPGA Hall of Famer, who recently clinched her 23rd career title at the 2024 Kroger Queen City Championship and a gold medal at the Paris Olympics, was a favorite to contend for the Dinah Shore Trophy this week. Her 2024 season had been a triumphant return to form, with three LPGA wins and a rise to No. 2 on the all-time LPGA money list after her victory at the HSBC Women’s World Championship in March 2025, where she earned $360,000 and surpassed Karrie Webb with $20,595,105 in career earnings.

Ko’s peers were quick to rally around her. Nelly Korda, the defending Chevron champion and World No. 1, shared her condolences on X, writing, “My heart goes out to Lydia and her family. We’ll miss you at Chevron, but we’re all here for you.” Charley Hull, whom Ko recently uplifted with a five-word message of support during the Ford Championship, posted, “Lydia, you’re in my thoughts. Take all the time you need.” Fans echoed the sentiment, with one X user writing, “Lydia Ko’s strength is inspiring, but this is so sad. Wishing her family peace.” Another added, “Golf can wait. Family first. Love you, Lydia.”

Ko’s absence leaves a significant void in the field at Carlton Woods, where she was set to compete against a stacked lineup, including Korda, Lilia Vu, and Atthaya Thitikul, for the $5.2 million purse. Her history at the Chevron Championship includes a runner-up finish in 2021 and a tie for 10th in 2024, a stark improvement after missing the cut in 2023. Ko has long been a fan favorite at the event, known for her 2016 victory at age 18 and her consistent performances, totaling 37-under par across her last five appearances before 2023.

The Kiwi star, who has openly discussed retiring by age 30, has faced challenges before, including a COVID-19 diagnosis in 2022 that left her breathless even while doing laundry. Yet, her resilience has always shone through, as seen in her recent victories and her ability to balance personal milestones—like her 2022 wedding—with her professional career. This latest setback, however, strikes a different chord, highlighting the human side of a golfer often seen as unflappable.

As the Chevron Championship begins on April 24, the golf world will feel Ko’s absence deeply. Her focus now shifts to healing with her family, and while no timeline for her return was given, Ko’s fans and the LPGA community stand united in supporting her through this profound loss. For now, the iconic leap into Poppie’s Pond will have to wait for another year, as Ko takes time to grieve and honor her loved one.