Jin Young Ko- Ko moves up five spots to fourth in the Rolex World Rankings off her victory at the Founder’s Cup. Ko has steadily climbed the rankings, being in the top 10 for all but one week since the end of October last year. This is her highest ranking in her two-year LPGA career. She’s found herself in contention in three of the four events she has played, finishing 2nd at the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open, 3rd at the HSBC Women’s World Championship, along with her win in Phoenix.
Yu Liu- Liu moves up 25 spots to the first top 50 ranking in her career, clocking in at 47th on the Rolex World Rankings after her second-place finish at the Founder’s Cup. Liu opened the 2019 year at 86th in the world. She hasn’t missed a cut since the Evian Championship last September, looking to extend her streak in Carlsbad this week.
Shakeup in Louise Suggs Rookie of the Year Race
Charlotte Thomas moves up to take the lead ahead of Jeongeun Lee6 in the rookie of the year race, with a seven-point advantage. Thomas finished in sixth out in Phoenix, the leading rookie of the field, to also vault up 92 spots in the world rankings to 166th. Thomas began the season in 456th in the world, moving upward off the back of her second-place finish in the ISPS Handa Vic Open and her performance in Phoenix.
Korda Maintains Early Season Awards Lead
Nelly Korda has finished in the top 10 in 100% of her events this year and holds the lead in 100% of the end of season awards she is eligible for. She recorded her 100th birdie of the season on the ninth hole in the final round of the Founders Cup, the first player to have 100 birdies on the year. She also moved up to sixth in the Rolex World Rankings with her T2 finish in Phoenix.
Jin Young Ko trails her in all three major awards, with a sizable gap between Korda and Ko and the rest of the field. Korda is not in the field this week, giving Ko a chance to close the gap.
Solheim Cup Points
Team Europe
Europe’s points remain unchanged with no LET event last week. Anne van Dam sits atop the Europe points list, along with leading the LPGA in average driving distance at a massive 292.5 yards for the year.
The battle for the final Rolex World Ranking spots remains close, with Pernilla Lindberg holding a .07 average lead over Jodi Ewart Shadoff and a .2 average lead over Bronte Law. All three are in the field at the Kia Classic this week.
Team USA
Jessica Korda’s (262) return moved her to third place on the Team USA Solheim Cup point rankings, sitting 10 points ahead of Danielle Kang (252). The battle for the 8th and final position from points remains neck and neck, with Megan Khang (188) just barely sitting ahead of Austin Ernst (187).
The Rolex World Ranking Spots remain close, with Austin Ernst and Angela Stanford holding the final two spots for Team USA. Stanford holds a .15 average lead over Michelle Wie, who withdrew from the Kia Classic this week. Angel Yin is next in the trail pack, currently behind Stanford by a .26 average. Stanford is in the field this week, while Yin is not.
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