Ko becomes youngest ever world No. 1

Philadelphia, PA (SportsNetwork.com) – Lydia Ko failed to hang on to win the Coates Golf Championship on Sunday, but with her tie for second place, Ko earned enough points to become the new No. 1 in this week’s women’s world golf rankings.

The 17-year-old Ko becomes the youngest golfer ever, male or female, to ascend to the top spot in the rankings. She is nearly four years younger than Tiger Woods was when he first claimed the top spot in the men’s world rankings.

Inbee Park shared 13th in Ocala and she dipped 0.03 average points behind Ko. Stacy Lewis, who also could have moved to No. 1 with a win this past weekend, shared eighth at the Coates Golf Championship.

Lewis remained No. 3 and she was again followed by Shanshan Feng, Suzann Pettersen and Michelle Wie. So Yeon Ryu and Hyo-Joo Kim exchanged places with Ryu up to seventh. Karrie Webb, Lexi Thompson and Kyu Jung Baek were Nos. 9-11 again this week.

Coates winner Na Yeon Choi jumped five places to No. 12. Anna Nordqvist dipped one to 13, Azahara Munoz held steady at 14 and Cristie Kerr fell two to 15th.

Mi Rim Lee remained No. 16, while Sun Ju Ahn slid two to 17th. Ha Na Jang and Jessica Korda shared second place with Ko. Jang improved three to 18th and Korda jumped five to 19th.

Brittany Lincicome dipped two to No. 20. In Gee Chun and Paula Creamer both dropped out of the top 20 as they dipped three to 22nd and 23rd respectively.

Categorized in: LPGA