Remember when Paris Olympic gold medalist Lydia Ko surprised everyone with a glamorous Vogue Korea cover that looked nothing like her on-course persona? The LPGA Hall of Famer traded in her signature golf hat and athletic wear for a stunning high-fashion look, complete with hair extensions and designer clothes from luxury brand Loro Piana, leaving fans wondering if it was really the same person beneath the glamour.
During a press conference at the HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore, a moderator asked Ko about her experience being featured in Vogue Korea’s prestigious “Vogue Leaders: 2024 Woman Now” campaign. The 27-year-old Kiwi golf superstar made history as part of this special campaign, which celebrated 24 influential women across various fields, including Olympic figure skater Kim Yuna and actress Greta Lee. “It was so much fun, and obviously my first experience, really, of being on a fashion magazine outside of golf clothes and my hat,” Ko shared, describing the dramatic transformation that took her out of her comfort zone.
The magazine feature came at a pivotal moment in Ko’s career, following her completion of a historic Olympic medal trifecta with gold in Paris 2024 (adding to silver from Rio 2016 and bronze from Tokyo 2020) and becoming the youngest inductee into the LPGA Hall of Fame. Despite the prestige of being selected for the $1.1 billion fashion brand’s cover, Ko made a surprising admission about the experience: “I’m honestly not envious of the models that do this quite often. It’s a lot of work and a lot of people to make that cover shoot the way it is.”
Paris 2024 Olympics – Golf – Women’s Round 4 – Le Golf National, Guyancourt, France – August 10, 2024. Lydia Ko of New Zealand celebrates after winning gold REUTERS/Paul Childs
Ko’s candid response highlighted the intense effort behind the seemingly effortless glamour of fashion photography. While clearly appreciative of the opportunity—she called it “literally a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity”—Ko made it clear where her future lies: “But modeling is probably not in my near future.” This admission gives fans insight into Ko’s priorities as she continues to focus on her already illustrious golf career, which includes 22 LPGA Tour wins over the past decade.
The contrast between Ko’s everyday athletic identity and her high-fashion transformation symbolizes her evolution from child prodigy to multifaceted public figure. As she embraces opportunities outside the competitive realm of golf, she joins other female athletes who are reshaping narratives about women in sports while maintaining competitive excellence.
The trend of female golfers crossing into fashion/modeling
Nelly Korda, the world’s top-ranked female golfer, recently followed a similar path by appearing in the 2025 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue. Korda, who dominated the 2024 season with seven LPGA titles, collaborated with renowned photographer Ben Horton for a photo shoot in Boca Raton, Florida. Early glimpses from the shoot confirmed she was a natural in front of the camera, demonstrating how female golfers are increasingly comfortable showcasing different dimensions of their personalities and talents.
Ko and Korda aren’t the only ones crossing between golf and high fashion. Other notable players have successfully bridged these worlds, including Paige Spiranac, whose pivot from competitive golf to social media stardom exemplifies the modern athlete’s ability to control their narrative. Her 2018 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit debut, followed by partnerships with brands like PXG golf clubs and PointsBet, shows how these transitions can create significant commercial opportunities. Michelle Wie West has also made her mark in fashion through her 2023 retirement collection with Nike, featuring innovative designs that reflect her boundary-pushing style both on and off the course.
These ventures carry substantial economic benefits for both the athletes and the sport. Ko’s Vogue Korea feature reportedly boosted engagement for her sponsors, with a 23% surge in brand engagement among women aged 18-34. The LPGA’s rising visibility—driven by stars like Ko and Korda—has correlated with financial growth, as evidenced by the increase in non-endemic sponsors appearing in the tours of top players. What started as occasional magazine features has evolved into a movement that’s reshaping the economics and cultural positioning of women’s golf.
For female golfers, these fashion collaborations represent more than just additional income—they’re about expanding their personal brands beyond the golf course. As the boundaries between sports and entertainment continue to blur, we can expect to see this trend accelerate, with more LPGA stars finding opportunities in fashion and modeling while maintaining their competitive edge on the course.
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