Ko Climbs Rankings
The Rolex Rankings Move of the Week belongs to Lydia Ko, who jumped five spots in the rankings with her victory at the LPGA MEDIHEAL Championship. Her victory, moved her from No. 18 to No. 13 in the world.
Ko previously held the top spot in the world during two stretches throughout her career, first at 19 weeks in 2015 and then for another 85 weeks between 2015 and 2017. Ko lost the No.1 spot in June 2017 and dropped to No. 18 ahead of her victory at Lake Merced Golf Club. It was her lowest ranking since August 2013, before she joined the Tour, when she was ranked at No. 19. Last week's runner-up, Minjee Lee, jumped two spots to No. 15. The Aussie’s highest ranking came over a five week stretch between April and May of 2016 when she was ranked No. 12 in the world. She won twice that season.
Race Remains Tight for No. 1 Spot
Inbee Park remains atop the Rolex Rankings, but she nearly got passed on Sunday by No. 2 Shanshan Feng, who was the same player Park passed to take the top spot. Feng needed a win or a share of second place to have a chance of returning to the top of the rankings on Sunday at the LPGA MEDIHEAL Championship. Despite a Sunday charge with a 4-under par, 68, Feng finished one position shy and settled for a tie for third. No. 3 Lexi Thompson also had an opportunity to pass Park on Sunday, with a scenario similar to Feng, but finished T31 with weekend rounds of 74-70.
Park on the Rebound
Friday at the LPGA MEDIHEAL Championship, Annie Park recorded a 6-under par, 66 for one of the low rounds of the week. The round came just days after she Monday qualified to make her first start of 2018 on the LPGA. Her 18th place finish last week in the Bay Area sent her soaring up the Rolex Rankings as she jumped 52 spots to No. 238 in the world.
Park made two prior starts this season on the Epson Tour, where she won three times in 2015 to earn her LPGA Tour card. Since suffering a back injury in December 2016, Park struggled on the LPGA and lost her full status, so she’s primarily playing this season on the Epson Tour while also trying to Monday qualify for events on the LPGA. In her first two starts of the year on Epson, she twice finished in the top 5.
Last Weeks to Qualify
Players have just over a month to finalize their spot on their respective teams for the UL International Crown. The top 8 ranked countries, according to the Rolex Rankings, determine which teams qualify. Last week, there were no changes to the standings as Spain and China continue to remain outside of qualifying for this year’s event. Teams will be finalized June 4, 2018 following the completion of the U.S. Women’s Open. Click here for the current standings.
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