Lydia Ko "Number 1 Again After 5 Years and 5 Months~"

Lydia Ko Returns to World No. 1 Since June 2017
Korda 2nd, Titikun 3rd, Minji Lee 4th, Jin Young Ko 5th

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] Lydia Ko (New Zealand, photo) has reclaimed the world No. 1 ranking after 5 years and 5 months.

On the 28th (local time), Lydia Ko scored 7.52 points in the weekly women's golf world rankings, surpassing Nelly Korda (USA, 7.44 points) to become the new No. 1. This is Lydia Ko's first time as world No. 1 since June 2017, marking a 5 year and 5 month gap. Through the LPGA Tour, Lydia Ko expressed, "I didn't know if I could be No. 1 again," adding, "Thanks to the faith and love of my family and our team."

Born in 1997, Lydia Ko first reached world No. 1 in February 2015 at the age of 18. She briefly lost the top spot to Inbee Park (34) in June of that year but regained it in October 2015. Lydia Ko maintained the No. 1 ranking continuously from October 2015 to June 2017. Returning to No. 1 after 5 years and 5 months in the women's golf world rankings, established in 2006, is the longest period in history.

Lydia Ko is also expected to rise in the all-time longest No. 1 ranking duration list. She has held the No. 1 spot for 105 weeks, currently ranking 5th in this category. She has a chance to surpass 3rd place Yani Tseng (Taiwan, 109 weeks) and 4th place Inbee Park (106 weeks). The top spot in this category is held by Lorena Ochoa (Mexico, 158 weeks), followed by Ko Jin-young (27, 152 weeks) in 2nd place.

This year, Lydia Ko won three LPGA Tour events: the Gainbridge LPGA in January, the BMW Ladies Championship in October, and the CME Group Tour Championship which ended on the 21st, bringing her total LPGA Tour wins to 19. She swept major categories on the LPGA Tour this year including Player of the Year, money list, and scoring average. Lydia Ko will marry Jung Joon, the only son of Jung Tae-young, Vice Chairman of Hyundai Card, at Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul on December 30.

Korda is ranked 2nd, Atthaya Thitikul (Thailand) 3rd, and Minjee Lee (Australia) 4th. Ko Jin-young dropped one spot to 5th. South Korea's Jeon In-ji (28) is 8th, Kim Hyo-joo (27) 9th, both in the top 10. Domestic No. 1 Park Min-ji (24) maintained her 14th place from last week. Choi Hye-jin (23) rose two spots to 19th.