Lydia Ko of New Zealand, who secured her first season victory on the LPGA Tour, is on the verge of climbing to No. 2 in the women’s golf world rankings.
On Tuesday, the LPGA announced that Ko earned 7.15 ranking points, narrowing the gap with Thailand’s Jeeno Thitikul, currently holding the No. 2 position. Last week, Ko trailed Thitikul by 0.66 points, but she has now closed the gap to just 0.14 points.
Ko won the HSBC Women’s World Championship on Sunday, finishing with a total score of 13-under 275. She outperformed a tied second-place group that included Thitikul and Japan’s Furue Ayaka (both at 9-under 279) by four strokes, securing the championship trophy.
This marks her first win of the season in her third tournament appearance and her 23rd career LPGA Tour victory.
However, Ko will need more achievements to reach the No. 1 ranking. Currently, Nelly Korda of the United States holds the top spot with 11.66 ranking points.
Among South Korean players, Ko Jin Young is ranked the highest at No. 8, followed by Yu Hae Ran (No. 9), Yang Hee Young (No. 13), and Yoon Ina (No. 25).
Kim Hyo Joo, who finished in the top 10 at the HSBC Championship, is now ranked No. 26, while Im Jin Hee is at No. 29 and Kim A Lim at No. 33.