The memorable jump into Poppie’s Pond by Pernilla Lindberg – and her caddy/fiancé Daniel Taylor – wasn’t the only jump that Lindberg made on Monday. She also moved up 61 spots on the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings to No. 34 in the world, the highest ranking of her 10-year professional career. Lindberg is now the second highest ranked Swedish player moving past Madelene Sagstrom. Team Sweden moved up to seventh on the UL International Crown to further solidify their spot in the eight-country competition.
Lindberg completed a wire-to-wire victory on Monday morning at the ANA Inspiration by sinking a 30-foot birdie putt on the eighth playoff hole.
The first-time major champion moved to sixth on the Race to the CME Globe
Song Moves Up 29 Spots
Jennifer Song had the second most impactful move up the world rankings after getting into a playoff and falling just short. She moved up 29 spots to No. 40 in the world. Song was awesome in Rancho Mirage, posting four rounds in the 60s and even had about a 10-foot birdie putt to win the major in the playoff.
Song has played on the LPGA since 2011 and has five top 10 finishes now. This could be the breakthrough moment that propels her up a couple notches. After she was eliminated from the playoff on Sunday night, she sounded more determined to win than ever.
“I definitely want to win an LPGA event out here, but today I learned that I could be in that spot, so I'll do my best to get that win.”
Charley Hull into Top 25 in World
Charley Hull’s ferocious swing was on full display at the ANA Inspiration and the 22-year-old finished an impressive T6 with four rounds in the 60s. She moved up five spots in the world rankings to No. 25. She created a bit more separation from Georgia Hall as the top ranked player from England, but will really have no problem making Team England for the UL International Crown.
Hull already has two top 10 finishes and has placed inside the top 20 in five of seven starts this year. Here is an important stat: she leads the Tour in birdies with 130 through the first seven events.
Queen Bee Now Third in the World
Inbee Park started the year (January 1) as the No. 13 ranked player in the world and nobody knew what to expect. She already has a win and a tie for second and moved up six spots to No. 3 in the world. In just four starts, Park leads the Tour in money earned and also paces the Race to the CME Globe.
Park started the year on the outside looking in to make Team Korea at the UL International Crown. All of a sudden, she is the top ranked Korean in the world jumping past In Gee Chun, IK Kim, So Yeon Ryu and Sung Hyun Park in the last three months.
Park has a 69.00 scoring average early in the year and ranks second on Tour in putts per GIR (1.71).
Ariya with Another Top 10 – her fourth
Ariya Jutanugarn picked up her fourth top 10 (in seven starts) at the ANA Inspiration. She leads the LPGA in top 10s along with Jin Young Ko. Jutanugarn moved up two spots in the world rankings to No. 6. She is also now fifth in the Race to the CME Globe standings and fifth in Rolex Player of the Year standings. Jutanugarn said after her round on Sunday that she gained confidence, which is a scary thought.Other Notables
- LPGA rookie Hannah Green moved up 17 spots in the world rankings to No. 76 in the world, her highest ranking. She is now third on Team Australia for the UL International Crown.
- Nelly Korda continues to climb after a T13 at the ANA Inspiration and is now No. 44 in the world.
- Ryann O'Toole moved up 22 spots in the world rankings to No. 107 after a T13 at ANA.