DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. >> Lydia Ko has become the youngest player to win the LPGA Tour’s rookie of the year award.

The 17-year-old Ko clinched the points-based award with three tournaments remaining on the LPGA Tour schedule. She already has two victories, two runner-up finishes and nine other finishes in the top 10.

Laura Baugh was 18 when she won the LPGA Tour rookie of the year in 1973.

Ko is No. 3 in the world ranking and No. 4 on the LPGA Tour money list with just over $1.5 million going into the Lorena Ochoa Invitational this week in Mexico. 

She’s third in the Race to the CME Globe, which culminates next week in Florida with $1 million going to the winner.

Sifford to receive Medal of Freedom

Charlie Sifford spent a lifetime breaking color barriers in golf. His next stop is a place he never would have imagined. 

Sifford is going to the White House to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

The first black member of the PGA Tour was among 19 people chosen to receive the highest honor granted to U.S. civilians. Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus are the only other golfers so honored. The ceremony is Nov. 24.

Sifford, 92, broke through the Caucasian-only clause on the PGA, which was rescinded in 1961 when he became the first black on tour. Sifford won twice on the PGA Tour. He also won the 1975 Senior PGA Championship.

Tiger Woods congratulated him with a tweet Monday night that said, "You’re the grandpa I never had. Your past sacrifices allow me to play golf today. I’m so happy for you Charlie."

Sifford became the first black inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2004. He said during his induction that he only had five goals in golf — to become a PGA member, win a PGA event, playing in the U.S. Open, play in the Masters and get inducted into the Hall of Fame. He never made it to the Masters, which did not start inviting PGA Tour winners until a few years after his victories. 

Italy bids to host 2022 Ryder Cup

ROME >> Italy will bid to hold the 2022 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone club just outside Rome.

Turkey, meanwhile, withdrew its bid on Wednesday because it would require cutting down up to 15,000 trees.

Located in Guidonia, northeast of Rome, Marco Simone hosted the 1994 Italian Open won by Eduardo Romero of Argentina.

Turkey nominated Montgomerie Maxx Royal course, the venue for this week’s Turkish Airlines Open. But Montgomerie was a resort course, and not designed for major tournaments, said Ahmet Agaoglu, president of the Turkish Golf Federation.

Turkey’s withdrawal left six countries interested in hosting the 2022 event: Austria, Denmark, Germany, Italy Portugal, Spain.