Sports Achievement of the Year 2015: Lydia Ko

Lydia Ko is the youngest golfer to win a major or be ranked No 1. Photo / AP

When Kiwi star Lydia Ko plays golf, you watch a mixture of reactions. She's chatty and expressive between shots and rock-solid concentration in her work zone.

Clearly there's something powerful in that blend which she wraps around levels of practice, skill and attention to detail which have taken her to the top ranking in LPGA golf.

Ko is already into double figures in tour victories and when she claimed the Evian Championship in September, it gave her another record as the youngest major winner at 18 years, four months and 20 days.

She's done it all with the same sort of balanced reaction she displayed when she dropped her final putt in a storming final round 63 to win her major. There was no whooping or hollering, just a satisfied look.

There were a few tears during the water-spray celebration on the 18th and some more with her sister last month after Ko realised she had won the points race, the US$1 million bonus and a bag full of other season awards as the No 1 in women's golf.

"A couple of teardrops," Ko admitted after winning her major. "I didn't totally cry-cry but I got a little over-whelmed."

It was a staggering performance from Ko who withstood a late charge from Lexi Thompson with four rounds in the 60s. Her final round was flawless and one she put in her top list of achievements.

No one on the LPGA or PGA tours has reached the No1 ranking as quickly as Ko or claimed a major at her age. There was relief "everyone won't be asking me when I'll win my first major" after her Evian triumph.

Ko ticks off achievements like a disciplined supermarket shopper. Everything in order, verified against a checklist, then on to the next stage. You've got to love that.

• Every day this week, we have run the finalists for Sporting Achievement of the Year. The supreme winner will be announced tomorrow.

Yesterday: Lisa Carrington, Black Caps.

Wednesday: Blair Tuke and Peter Burling, Hamish Bond and Eric Murray.

Tuesday: Linda Villumsen, track cycling squad.

Monday: Kane Williamson.