​Lydia Ko has a familiar face back on her bag this week at the Amundi Evian Championship, though the person carrying the clubs isn’t collecting a paycheck. In a lighthearted LPGA social post, Ko teased about a temporary swap in the traditional caddie-player dynamic, joking that what’s hers might somehow end up belonging to the bag’s new bearer as well. Her husband, Jun Chung, has traded in his usual free time for a stint as Ko’s on-course support crew, and he’s not shy about reminding everyone that he’s using his vacation days to caddie for the star.
Ko’s quip landed with a wink and a grin, followed by a deadpan aside from Ko herself: “You should be honored to caddie for a Hall of Famer.” The banter between the couple underscores just how seamless and playful their relationship is, both on and off the course. If there’s a couple that epitomizes chemistry and camaraderie in the golf world, it’s Ko and Chung, and their easygoing tone makes their dynamic feel all the more relatable to fans.
This year marks a notable chapter in Ko’s storied career. She captured the title at the 2015 Evian Championship, becoming the youngest player ever to win a major at that time, at 18 years, 6 months, and 2 days. That major victory set a benchmark, one that still stands as a testament to her burgeoning talent. Over the years, Ko has logged seven top-10 finishes across 12 Evian appearances, maintaining a strong presence in this event’s competitive field. In recent form, she tied for 15th at the KPMG Women’s PGA at Hazeltine just two weeks prior to Evian, signaling she remains within striking distance of the leaderboard and championship hardware.
As for this week’s setup, Ko will tee off on Thursday alongside Charley Hull and Jeeno Thitikul, with a 6:36 a.m. ET start time that promises an early, focused start to the European swing’s midseason stretch. The Amundi Evian Championship isn’t just about the immediate rounds; it’s part of a broader arc for Ko, who has long thrived in this event’s unique atmosphere and course layout.
Jun Chung’s role in Ko’s life extends beyond caddying for a single week. He discovered golf during the Covid-19 pandemic and even had moments of discovery fueled by curiosity about his wife’s career. Their shared love of the game has produced a remarkable chapter in their personal and professional lives. The couple has even celebrated the sport as part of their future family plans, with Ko noting that golf will be a staple element when they eventually expand their family—an outlook that infuses their partnership with warmth and a forward-looking perspective.
The dynamic isn’t entirely one-sided historically, either. There have been moments when the roles were reversed. Several years ago, Ko caddied for her husband when he competed on the U.S. Am Tour in Monterey, California. She recalled that experience with a laugh, detailing how he would help her on course by doing practical things like pushing his push cart to assist her. “When he does come out to my tournaments, he’s always trying to help me out,” Ko told Golfweek in 2023. “It was one of the rare times I could do something for him. I was more excited. I was like, you have to play the two days. He would push his push cart down one of the holes to help me out, and I was like, you’re stealing my job right now. I’m your caddie.” That anecdote perfectly captures the playful, reciprocal nature of their relationship and their shared love of the sport.
As the Amundi Evian Championship unfolds this week, congratulations and lighthearted jokes accompany the serious pursuit of top-of-the-leaderboard results. Ko’s husband on the bag is a reminder that golf, for them, remains a family affair—a sport that they both love and about which they share a sense of humor that makes the journey that much more enjoyable. The week in Evian is more than a tournament; it’s another chapter in a story that pairs elite athletic achievement with a warm, real-world couple’s dynamic that resonates with fans around the world.