[Golf Topic] 'Genesis Runner-up' Kang Sung-hoon "Now World Ranking 54th~"

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] ○…Kang Sung-hoon (33, CJ Logistics, photo) has jumped to 54th in the world rankings.

On the afternoon of the 17th (Korean time), he received 2.21 points in the official weekly golf world rankings, soaring 32 spots from 86th place last week. He accumulated points by finishing tied for 2nd at the PGA Tour Genesis Invitational (total prize money $9.3 million), which concluded that morning at the Riviera Golf Club (par 71) in Pacific Palisades, California, USA. This marked his first 'Top 10' finish in a full nine months since the PGA Championship last May.

Last May, Kang Sung-hoon won the AT&T Byron Nelson, joining the ranks of PGA Tour champions. He is the sixth Korean champion in history, following 'Tank' K.J. Choi (50, SK Telecom), Yang Yong-eun (48), Bae Sang-moon (34), Noh Seung-yul (29), and Kim Si-woo (25). He proudly noted that his runner-up finish in the special match hosted by the 'Returned Golf Emperor' Tiger Woods (USA) changed his momentum. On the night of the 20th, he will pursue his second career win at the World Golf Championships (WGC) Mexico Championship.

The 'Top 5' remain unchanged with Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland), Brooks Koepka (USA), Jon Rahm (Spain), Justin Thomas, and Dustin Johnson (both USA). Adam Scott (Australia), the Genesis Invitational champion, rose from 14th to 7th, while Woods slipped from 8th to 9th. Woods, who challenged for the most PGA Tour wins (83) at the Genesis Invitational, finished 68th. For Korea, Im Sung-jae (21) is ranked 32nd, and An Byeong-hun (29, both CJ Logistics) is positioned at 50th.