25 Apr 2014

Ko named in Time Top 100

9:02 am on 25 April 2014

The teenage New Zealand golf star Lydia Ko has received a special birthday surprise after being named in Time magazine's annual list of the world's 100 most influential people.

A day after turning 17 the world number four has been included on the list that features just five athletes, with Time describing her as a pioneer of women's golf.

Ko, who's won two LPGA and one European tour event, is the only professional golfer on the list.

Jason Collins, Richard Sherman, Serena Williams and Cristiano Ronaldo were the other athletes honoured on the list that includes the likes of Barack Obama, Beyonce and Vladimir Putin.

Ko now joins a short but prestigious group of LPGA golfers to make the list, which includes the likes of Michelle Wie, Yani Tseng, Lorena Ochoa and Annika Sorenstam.

Ko is currently in California for the Swinging Skirts event, with the New Zealander due to tee off her first round later today.