Jutanugarn Remains On Top
For the second consecutive week, Ariya Jutanugarn tops the Rolex Rankings. The Thai returned to the top of the world following the Swinging Skirts LPGA Taiwan, two weeks ago. She was previously ranked No. 1 in the world during a three-week stretch in July and August 2018 and during a two-week stint in June 2017. Last week, Jutanugarn finished T19 in the TOTO Japan Classic to remain at the top of the rankings, ahead of No. 2 Sung Hyun Park, who she replaced in the No. 1 spot. Park has been ranked inside the top 10 in the Rolex rankings since July 2017.
Win Lifts Nasa to Highest Career Rank
Nasa Hataoka’s come from behind victory, in her home country of Japan, earns her the Rolex Rankings’ move of the week. With her win at the TOTO Japan Classic, Hataoka jumped nine spots to No. 7 in the world, which is the highest ranking of her career. The 19-year-old is the first player from Japan since Ai Miyazato in June 2013 to be ranked inside the top 10 in the Rolex Rankings. The move looks to be a permanent one as Hataoka has racked-up 12 worldwide top-10 finishes in 2018, including two wins and three runner-ups. She began her rookie season in 2017 ranked No. 135 in the world.
Ciganda Keeps Climbing
Carlota Ciganda recorded her second runner-up finish of the season last week at the TOTO Japan Classic. The solid showing marks her 7th worldwide top 10 in her last 11 starts, which led to her steady climb in the Rolex Rankings. Monday, Ciganda climbed three spots to No. 18 in the world, which is the highest ranking of her career.
Feng Defends, Looking For First Win of the Year
Shanshan Feng looks to successfully defend her title this week in China and record her first win of 2018. The year has been a challenging one for the Olympic bronze medalist, who last week dropped out of the top 10 in the Rolex Rankings to No. 11 in the world. It’s the first time Feng has been ranked outside the top 10 in the world since October 2016. She started the year ranked No. 1 in the world, a position she held for 23 weeks between 2017 and 2018, including the off-season. This week’s defending champ has five top 10s in 2018.
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