Lydia Ko is a star on the golf course, but her dog is becoming an even bigger one.

At the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, her four-legged sidekick, Kai, stole the show again, leaving Ko to wonder what her 'celebrity' companion thinks of his unique life.

Talking to the media at the Lake Nona Golf & Country Club, Ko said, “He was on the driving range, by the side of driving range just sitting there, but, yeah, I was driving out of my house today and he like ran up to the window and was looking at me. I was wondering if he's thinking, why is she leaving me at home now where normally I get to go out with her... I don't know what he thinks of it, but he's like a celebrity out here."

Kai is something of a celebrity on the golf course. Kai was with Ko when she won the Paris Olympics gold and the AIG Women’s British Open at St. Andrews. But his big highlight came at the end of 2024.

In November, when Kai accompanied her at the Tiburon Golf Club, he couldn't help but bolt away on the golf course. Later, once Ko found him, he accompanied her in front of the press.

Now, Kai remains on Ko’s golf cart. And almost everyone in the course knows him. Kai knows exactly where to stop since the starter normally gives him treats. Even the clubhouse staff offers Kai a few treats.

“He probably doesn't understand why he has to be home most of the day and I get to go out.”

However, that hasn't stopped her from getting her dog training lessons.

Lydia Ko Emphasizes Training for Kai

A few months ago, at the CME Group Tour Championship, Ko revealed, “We’ve been doing a lot of training, service dog training as well. I'm proud to say he's a different dog for the better. I don't have to worry about him running away. If he does make a run for it, his recall is good, so he comes.” 

With high energy, Shiba Inus often tend to run off and do zoomies, making it hard to catch them. And Kai is no different. At the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions last year, Kai gave Minjee Lee and Megan Khang trouble as they tried to chase him down. But with training, it’s all getting better. 

“He's honestly really great. He's still young … so he has his moments. But his training has been great, and I think it gives us the flexibility to be together more and for him to be there and support me.”

Kai brings a charming element to Ko's tournament weeks as he adapts to life off the course.

You can read more at Club Golf!

Written by

Krushna Pattnaik

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar