DAYTONA BEACH, Florida (AP) Amateur sensation Lydia Ko is turning pro and has asked the U.S. LPGA Tour to waive its age limit.
The 16-year-old from New Zealand already is a two-time winner on the tour both wins at the Canadian Women's Open and last year became the youngest winner in tour history. She also contended at the Evian Championship last month in the year's fifth and final major championship.
The tour confirmed that it received a petition from Ko asking that it waive its minimum age requirement of 18.
Tour commissioner Mike Whan was traveling from Asia on Thursday and not immediately available to comment. Whan, who two years ago granted such a petition to American golfer Lexi Thompson, has sole discretion whether Ko can join the tour early. The tour said Whan would be in contact with Ko and her family.
Ko's mother, Tina Hyon, told Golf Channel's website on Wednesday in an email that her daughter would play as a pro in the LPGA Titleholders in Naples, Florida, in November. She also might play in the Lorena Ochoa Invitational.