Golf: Golf star Lydia swaps clubs for schoolbooks

Lydia Ko is No 4 in the world. Photo / Natalie Slade

She's making her mark as one of the best female golfers in the world, but Lydia Ko will be back at school next year.

The 16-year-old Aucklander returned home this week after winning her first international event as a professional.

The talented teen has won more than $200,000 in prize money, and after two pro outings is No 4 in the women's golf world rankings.

But Ko has enrolled at Pinehurst School, a private senior college on the North Shore, for year 13 and will be sitting three A level papers next year.

Said Pinehurst School executive principal Sherida Penman Walters: " She fits in beautifully with her friends like she has never been away.

"She never wants any fuss made, just to be accepted as a normal student and truly loves spending time with her friends."

Penman Walters said teachers gave Ko on-line tuition when she was away, and would make sure she kept on track with her work if tournaments took her out of class next year.

Ko was a diligent student who studied hard and was expected to do well.

The principal said Ko was very keen to graduate from Pinehurst next year, and would be making sure she would be in New Zealand to sit the final exams.

"We don't have her pro schedule for next year as yet, however we will continue to work closely with Lydia and her family to ensure she has what she needs."

The school had also recognised Ko's outstanding achievement with a new scholarship - the Lydia Ko Achievement of Excellence Medal - for the highest-achieving year 12 student.

She was also named one of the New Zealand Herald's Kiwis of the year this weekend.