Women’s golf’s world number one position has changed hands for the third time in a month, with New Zealander Lydia Ko returning to the summit for the first time since 2017.
At the end of October, Atthaya Thitikul became the second youngest World No.1 in history. However, her spell at the top was short-lived. Just two weeks later, Nelly Korda regained the top spot following her win in the Pelican Women’s Championship. Now, though, after her win in the LPGA Tour's season-closing CME Group Tour Championship in Florida, Ko has returned to the position she last relinquished in June 2017 after an 85-week spell at the top.
Ko carded a two-under final round at the CME Group Tour Championship, which was enough to ensure she finished the season in style. As well as claiming the title, Ko also won the Race to CME Globe and was named Player of the Year.
While confirmation Ko has returned to the top spot offers vindication for her decision to part ways with coach Sean Foley just a few weeks ago, she also enjoyed considerable success during the year while still working with the Canadian. As well as her recent successes, Ko finished in the top 10 of three of the year’s five Majors and has won three times in 2022, including in October’s BMW Ladies Championship in the country of her birth, the Republic of Korea. The 25-year-old also amassed 14 top-10 finishes in 2022. That consistency has been reflected in the Rolex Rankings, where she has been in the top five throughout the year.
Ko’s return to the top spot marks the culmination of a stunning return to form after she had been outside the world’s top 50 as recently as August 2020 after finishing tied for 28th at the LPGA Drive On Championship.
For all the best golf deals visit Golf Monthly's Cyber Monday golf deals LIVE blog.
-
US Open Betting Tips And Odds: Final Round PicksWho are we picking to win the 2025 US Open?
-
LIV Golf Carlos Ortiz Said He ‘Deserved’ To Be At US Open… A Year On And He’s Contending To Win ItA year ago, Carlos Ortiz claimed he warranted a place in the US Open field - now, he's in the mix to take the title at Oakmont
-
When Did An Amateur Golfer Last Win A Major Championship?It has been almost a century since an amateur last won a Major in the men's game while one female amateur tasted Major success slightly more recently...
-
Asterisk Talley Withdraws From Women’s Amateur Championship After Suffering Broken ToeAmateur World No.16 Asterisk Talley has been forced to withdraw from the The 122nd Women’s Amateur Championship, revealing she has broken her toe
-
Meijer LPGA Classic Prize Money Payout 2025The latest event on the LPGA Tour comes from Michigan, where Lilia Vu defends her title and the chance to claim a big first prize
-
Nelly Korda Joins Illustrious Club After Recording 100th Week As World No.1Despite narrowly missing out on the US Women's Open title, Nelly Korda has achieved 100 career weeks at the top of the Rolex Rankings - cementing her place as the best in the business right now
-
LPGA ShopRite Classic Payout 2025Linnea Storm looks to defend her title at Seaview as the LPGA Tour returns following the second Major of the year
-
Maja Stark Holds Off Nelly Korda To Claim Maiden Major At US Women's OpenMaja Stark held off Nelly Korda and Rio Takeda to claim the US Women's Open and her first Major title
-
'Before You Make Assumptions, Make Sure You Get All The Facts Right Before Basing It On Pictures And Little Clips' - Lexi Thompson Responds To US Women's Open Slow Play CriticismThe Major winner responded to slow play critics at the US Women's Open, with Thompson claiming her group waited on every single hole due to the group in front
-
9 Big Names To Miss The Cut At The US Women's OpenSome notable names will not be teeing it up at Erin Hills over the weekend
