Kiwi golf sensation Lydia Ko received an unexpected surprise for her 17th birthday - being chosen by Time magazine as one of its 100 Most Influential People.
In a small profile written by the most successful golfer of all time, Annika Sorenstam, Ko was described as leading golf's youth movement - and was the only person from the sport represented on the just-released list.
"Lydia Ko is exceptionally talented, mature beyond her years and well liked by golf fans and competitors alike," Sorenstam wrote.
"She is responsible for sparking increased interest in our sport not just in her native South Korea and adopted homeland of New Zealand but also among juniors across the globe."
Sorenstam, an eight-time LPGA player of the year, said Ko's early, record-breaking success brought with it "incredible pressure - and she's doing a fantastic job handling the many responsibilities that accompany stardom".
