[Golf Topic] ‘AT&T Back-to-Back Champion’ Lee Kyung-hoon "Soars to World Ranking 41st in One Go"… Scheffler ‘Number 1’

Lee Kyung-hoon is enjoying himself wearing a cowboy hat right after winning the AT&T Byron Nelson. McKinney, USA = Getty Images / Multibits Photo by Multibits

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-joon] ○…"World Ranking 88th → 41st."

Lee Kyung-hoon (31, CJ Logistics), the AT&T Byron Nelson champion, jumped 47 spots to 41st place with 2.59 points in the weekly official golf world rankings announced on the afternoon of the 16th (Korean time). He accumulated points by successfully defending his title on the final day of the PGA Tour AT&T Byron Nelson (total prize money $9.1 million) held at Craig Ranch Golf Course (par 72, 7,468 yards) in McKinney, Texas, USA, that morning. This is the first time in 22 years since Tom Watson (USA) achieved a '3-peat' from 1978 to 1980 in the history of this tournament.

Lee Kyung-hoon secured his first PGA Tour victory at this tournament last May, becoming the eighth Korean champion in history following 'Tank' Choi Kyung-ju (52, SK Telecom, 8 wins), Yang Yong-eun (50, 2 wins), Bae Sang-moon (36, 2 wins), Noh Seung-yul (32, 1 win), Kim Si-woo (27, 3 wins), Kang Sung-hoon (35, 1 win), and Im Sung-jae (24, 2 wins). It is interesting that he started tied for 6th place, 4 strokes behind, and shot 9-under-par with 1 eagle and 7 birdies. Craig Ranch has truly become a 'winning stronghold.'

For Lee Kyung-hoon, breaking into the 'Top 50' is especially meaningful. It symbolizes a world star who secures automatic entry into elite tournaments such as the four majors and the World Golf Championships (WGC) series. The 'new golf emperor' Scotty Scheffler (USA), Jon Rahm (Spain), Collin Morikawa (USA), Cameron Smith (Australia), and 'Playoff (PO) champion' Patrick Cantlay (USA) remain unchanged in the 'Top 5.' In Korea, Im Sung-jae (24) is ranked 20th, Kim Si-woo (27) 57th, and Kim Joo-hyung (20) 72nd, respectively.