Kiwi golf prodigy Lydia Ko has officially turned professional.



Ending months of speculation, Ko has confirmed the decision via a YouTube video posted on Twitter in which she features in a skit with All Blacks star Israel Dagg.

Ranked fifth in the world Ko, just 16, has already been blocked from $1.2 million in winnings because of her amateur status.

Now all that changes, with the Aucklander eligible to collect winnings and set to compete in her first tournament as a professional in November.

Ko, who had developed a taste for teasing media with comments about her amateur status at press conferences, has already become the youngest ever player to win a professional event when she claimed the New South Wales Open in 2012.

She has since won the Canadian Open twice and finished second in the Evian Masters - a Major championship.

New Zealand Golf chief executive Dean Murphy says it's a milestone day for Ko.

"This is a very momentous day for Lydia and we are so thrilled that she has chosen such a unique and entertaining way to share her news with her fans today," Murphy said.

"She was reluctant to hold a traditional press conference. She didn't want to make a big fuss about news that had already been reported in the media in recent weeks.

"She has also been very busy studying for exams and wanted to make this announcement in a different way.

"Her amateur record ranks right up there among the greats of the game. She has won four professional titles, claimed the US and Australian Amateur titles, climbed to World No.4 on the World Rankings and has been the World No.1 amateur for more than two years without ever losing that title.

"That is a record that is unlikely to be matched by a 16-year-old ever again.

"Lydia is an exceptional talent and we wish her every success in her professional career. We look forward to welcoming her home to defend her title at the New Zealand Women's Open as a professional."