Mexican women’s golf ‘hero’ Lorena Ochoa retires after 158 weeks at No. 1 on the U.S. Women’s Professional Golf (LPGA) Tour Lorena Ochoa, who retired after 158 weeks. South Korean women’s golf sensation Jin Young Ko (28, Solaire) will try to break that record this year.
Ko returned to the throne seven months after knocking Nelly Corda (USA) off the top spot in the world rankings released on Wednesday. Despite no tour events last week, Ko’s second win of the season earned her 8.26 ranking points, just 0.01 points ahead of Korda. Last week, Korda was ranked first with 8.40 points and Ko was second with 8.38 points.메이저놀이터
Jin-young Ko
Since losing the top spot in late October last year, Ko Jin-young has been followed by Ataya Thititjerin (20-Thailand), New Zealander Lydia Go (26-Hana Financial Group), and Korda. Ko, who first became world No. 1 in April 2019, has now spent a total of 146 weeks at the top of the world rankings, trailing Ochoa’s record by 12 weeks, so if she maintains her current momentum, she could make world women’s golf history sooner rather than later.
‘Eldest Sister’ Ji-hee Ji (37-Hanwha Q CELLS) will attempt to win her second consecutive title at the Bank of Hope Match Play ($1.5 million in prize money), which begins today (Sept. 24) at Shadow Creek Golf Club (Par 72) in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Ji-hee Lee defeated Ayaka Furue (22-JP) in last year’s final to win her sixth career title. It was her first title in more than three years since the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions in January 2019. At the time, Ji-hee set the record for the oldest LPGA Tour victory by a South Korean player at 36 years and 17 days.
Ji-hee has made five cuts in seven events this season, including a tie for 11th at the HSBC Women’s World Championship in March. However, she missed the cut at the Cognizant Founders Cup last week and will be looking to rebound at this event.
The tournament will feature 16 groups of four, with the top finisher in each group advancing to the round of 16. Ji-hee will compete against Lynn Grant (Sweden), Matilda Kastren (Finland), and Maddie Jericho (Kenya). Hae-ran Ha (22-DAOL Financial Group), Se-young Kim (30-MEDIHILL), Arim Kim (28-HANWHA Q CELLS), Anna Rin (27-MEDIHILL), and Jeong-eun Lee (27-Daebang E&C) will also be looking for top finishes.