Lydia Ko’s husband, Jun Chung, stepped in as her caddie at the Evian Championship, delivering a playful ultimatum that pushed her to a top-10 finish.
In the high-stakes world of professional golf, the relationship between a player and their caddie is one of profound trust and rapport. For Lydia Ko, a name synonymous with excellence in women’s golf, that bond took on a deeply personal twist at the 2026 Amundi Evian Championship. In a move that captured the attention of the golfing world, the New Zealand superstar had her husband, Jun Chung, on the bag for the first time at a major tournament. What unfolded was a week filled with playful banter, a stern ultimatum, and a performance that reminded everyone why Ko is a future Hall of Famer.
The decision to have Chung caddie was a departure from the norm, as Ko’s regular looper is veteran Scotsman Paul Cormack. However, the temporary swap provided a unique glimpse into the couple’s dynamic, both on and off the course. While Chung may not be a professional caddie, he is no stranger to the game, having taken up golf during the Covid pandemic. The roles have even been reversed in the past, with Ko caddying for her husband when he competed on the U.S. Am Tour. This history made their partnership at Evian a full-circle moment, blending their personal life with her professional career in a highly public arena.
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A Husband’s Ultimatum and a Winning Attitude
The week at Evian was not just about carrying clubs; it was about motivation. Lydia Ko revealed that her husband’s best piece of advice was less of a suggestion and more of a challenge. “He was like, ‘Oh, I’m not going to caddie for a wuss,’ so I think that made me be a little bit more kind of aggressive,” Ko recounted. This blunt ultimatum seemed to work wonders. Ko set a goal of 6-under-par for the final round and surpassed it, matching the day’s best score with a brilliant 64 to finish in a share of seventh place at 13-under-par.
The couple’s on-course chemistry was a mix of tough love and humour. Ko admitted to giving her husband some straightforward advice at the start of the week, telling him to “keep up and shut up”. Despite the playful jabs, she relied on him for green reading, an area she had struggled with in previous years at Evian. Their banter extended off the course as well; when Chung reminded his wife that he was using his vacation days to caddie, Ko deadpanned, “You should be honored to caddie for a Hall of Famer”.
The financial aspect was also a source of jokes, with Ko noting that her husband was working for “zero salary”, adding, “It’s like, what’s yours is mine, and what’s mine is mine”.
A Successful Experiment and a Look to the Future
Ultimately, the experiment was a resounding success. Lydia Ko gave her husband an A+ grade for his performance as a caddie, though she humorously qualified that she wasn’t sure if other players would give him the same mark. Watching Chung on the bag also gave her a newfound appreciation for the work her regular caddie, Paul Cormack, does week in and week out. The result—a top-10 finish in a major—was her best on tour since March and provided a significant boost of confidence.
Beyond the leaderboard, the week at Evian was a testament to the strength of Ko and Chung’s partnership. Chung, who is the son of a Hyundai Card executive, has become a familiar and supportive presence in Ko’s life. The couple married in December 2022 and have since built a life that happily integrates golf. Their time in France was filled with good humour and mutual respect, showcasing a relationship that can handle the pressures of a major championship. For Lydia Ko, having her biggest supporter by her side—literally carrying her bag—proved to be a winning formula, both in terms of performance and the joy of sharing a special moment together.
