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.
-
‘I Think I Can Be Helpful’ – Rory McIlroy Opens Up On Potential Return To PGA Tour Policy BoardThe four-time Major winner resigned from the board six months ago, but with the game still fractured, he could be about to return
-
Two-Time Major Runner-Up Amy Olson Announces Retirement Aged 31The LPGA Tour pro, who has been on maternity leave since last year, made the announcement on social media
-
Angela Stanford’s Pursuit Of 100 Consecutive Majors Could End Painfully Short After Two Huge BlowsThe 46-year-old had been hoping to make a 99th successive Major appearance at the US Women's Open, but a double blow means her options are slimmer than ever
-
Nelly Korda's Fifth Straight Win Helps NBC Record Most-Watched Chevron Championship In Over A DecadeThere was a peak TV audience of almost two million on Sunday evening as Korda picked up the second Major of her career
-
‘Exhausted’ Nelly Korda Puts Bid For Sixth Successive Title On Hold With JM Eagle LA Championship WithdrawalThe Chevron Championship winner has opted to skip the next LPGA Tour event despite initially confirming she would be in the field
-
'Hopefully Keep The Streak Alive' - Nelly Korda Shows No Signs Of Stopping As World No.1 Targets Sixth Straight WinAfter her fifth successive victory, Nelly Korda is eyeing a place in the history books
-
How Nelly Korda And Scottie Scheffler Have Amassed 9 Wins And Almost $20 Million In Prize Money Over Their Last 10 StartsThe World No.1 pair are on quite the tear right now, as both Korda and Scheffler added yet more silverware to their cabinets after their respective victories
-
Social Media Reacts To Nelly Korda's Historic Victory At Chevron ChampionshipThe world number one's most recent victory and her incredible run of form has got a lot of people talking
-
Watch: Low Amateur Winner Hits One Of The Craziest Shots Of 2024 At Chevron ChampionshipJasmine Koo received a huge slice of luck at the final hole, when her ball struck the advertising board in the middle of the 18th lake
-
Nelly Korda Wins Chevron Championship And Claims Historic Fifth Straight TitleThe World No.1 joined Nancy Lopez and Annika Sorenstam as the only players to claim five consecutive victories on the LPGA Tour
