Ko Jin-young reclaims throne on Rolex Women's World Golf Rankings

Ko Jin-young hits a tee shot on the seventh hole during the final round of the Cognizant Founders Cup at Upper Montclair Country Club in Clifton, New Jersey, on May 14. [AFP/YONHAP]

Ko Jin-young reclaimed the top spot on the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings on Tuesday, seven months after she ceded it to other prominent golfers.

Ko reached 8.26 points on the world rankings, surpassing Nelly Korda of the United States by 0.01 points to snatch the No. 1 spot.

The 27-year-old first claimed the No. 1 spot in April 2019 and held on to it until October last year. A wrist injury she picked up last season, however, hindered her performance and pushed her down to fifth on the rankings.

Atthaya Thitikul of Thailand, Lydia Ko of New Zealand and Korda took the top spot alternately thereafter.

Ko came back strong this season after recovering from the injury, winning two LPGA titles this season — first at the HSBC Women’s World Championship in February and second at the Cognizant Founders Cup on May 14.

The victory at the Founders Cup allowed her to become the event’s first-ever three-time champion.

Ko then climbed up to the apogee of the rankings from third place. Then No. 1 Korda failed to make the cut at the event.

Lydia Ko, on the other hand, remained in third place despite having tied for 42nd place at the Founders Cup last week.

Lilia Vu of the United States, the only other multi-winner of the season besides Ko Jin-young — first victory at the Honda LPGA Thailand in February and second at Chevron Championship in April — also stayed in her last week’s position at fourth.

The same goes for Minjee Lee of Australia, who stood at fifth.

The only other Korean golfer in the top 10 is No. 10 Kim Hyo-joo, who has yet to manage a win this season despite a solid performance. Her best finish so far was tied for third at the DIO Implant LA Open in March.

The world rankings are announced weekly, and the standings will change again after the Mizuho Americas Open, set to start in Jersey City, New Jersey, on June 1, where prominent golfers will compete again.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]