Third Career Win Since FM Championship Last September
Korda, Thitikul, and Lydia Ko Hold Top Three Spots
Kim Hyojoo Ranks 8th, Ko Jin-young 9th, Hong Jungmin Climbs to 88th
Yoo Heran has entered the world’s top five in the rankings.
In the weekly women's golf world rankings announced on May 5 (local time), she climbed seven spots from 12th last week to reach 5th. She earned ranking points by claiming a wire-to-wire victory (26-under-par 262) at the inaugural Black Desert Championship (total prize money of $3 million) on the LPGA Tour, which concluded the previous day at the Black Desert Resort Golf Course (par 72, 6,629 yards) in Ivins, Utah, USA. This marked her third career win, coming about eight months after her victory at the FM Championship in September 2024, and she took home a winner’s prize of $450,000 (approximately 630 million KRW).
Yoo Heran is taking a selfie holding the trophy immediately after winning the Black Desert Championship. Ivins, USA=AFP Yonhap News Photo by AFP
In an interview with the LPGA Tour immediately after her win, Yoo Heran said, “It was an unbelievable day. My previous personal best was 23-under-par, but I broke that record today. I also made an eagle three days in a row, so I feel really great.” She added, “Focusing solely on my golf and my swing during today’s round was the driving force behind my win. Also, my mother’s support, including preparing Korean food and helping me in so many ways, gave me great strength.”
There were no changes at the top of the rankings. Nelly Korda (USA), Atthaya Thitikul (Thailand), Lydia Ko (New Zealand), and Yin Ruoning (China) maintained the 1st to 4th positions. Among Korean players, Kim Hyojoo is 8th, Ko Jin-young 9th, Yang Heeyoung 18th, Yoon Ina 24th, Kim Arim 29th, Lim Jinhui 32nd, Shin Jiae 37th, Choi Hyejin 41st, Kim Seyoung 42nd, and Lee Yewon is 46th. Hong Jungmin, who won the domestic major KLPGA Championship, jumped 54 spots to reach 88th.
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