Lydia Ko Pockets Biggest Single-Day Payoff at CME Championship

Korean-New Zealander Lydia Ko earned an eye-popping single-day payoff of US$1.5 million (US$1=W1,114) when she won the CME Group Tour Championship in Naples, Florida, on Sunday.

She won a US$1 million bonus from the inaugural "Race to the CME Globe" points competition and another $500,000 for winning the season-closer LPGA tournament. Together, the total is the biggest single-day payoff in women's golf.

"It's been an awesome week … that I'll never forget," Ko said. "When I saw that $1 million in the box, I was like, 'Wow, I wonder who the winner of that will be?' It's amazing. I've never seen that much cash in one place before."

Lydia Ko poses with the “Race to the CME Globe” trophy (left) and CME Group Tour Championship trophy while sitting on $1 million in prize money at the Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Florida, on Sunday. /AP-Newsis

The first thing she wants to do with the money is buy a present for her mom.

"Maybe that bag she wanted, that four digits," Ko said. "I would've got it for her anyway. She really deserves it and I really wouldn't be here without her."

Ko won her third victory of her rookie year in a three-way playoff against Julieta Granada and Carlota Ciganda.

In the "Race to the CME Globe" points ranking, Stacy Lewis of the U.S. came in second and Korean-American Michelle Wie came in third.

Ko is now the youngest player to earn more than US$2 million in a single season. Ko stands in third place in money rankings with $2.09 million, behind Lewis' $2.54 million and Park In-bee's $2.23 million.

The three are also the only players who have won three titles this season.

"This has been a big year, a rollercoaster ride, I've learnt so much this year," Ko said. "I think next year's going to be another fun year."

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