Holds narrow margin over a trio of talented LPGA players
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., May 3, 2010 - South Korean Jiyai Shin is the top-ranked player in the world according to the Rolex Rankings released today. Shin's ascent to the top of women's professional golf comes just one day after Lorena Ochoa retired from active play on the LPGA Tour as the Rolex Rankings No. 1. Ochoa held the spot for 158 weeks since overtaking Annika Sorenstam on April 23, 2007.
"I can't believe I am the Rolex Rankings No. 1," said Shin from her home in South Korea. "There are so many good players out there. To think that I am No. 1, I just can't believe it."
Shin, who won last week's CyberAgent Ladies on the Japan LPGA (JLPGA), topped the LPGA Official Money List in 2009 - the first South Korean to do so - and also earned Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year honors.
"Today is a historic day for the LPGA and we are all proud of what Jiyai Shin has achieved as only the third-ever Rolex Rankings No. 1," said LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan. "She has earned it through hard work and skill, and we expect a real battle all season for No. 1 in the Rolex Rankings due to the excellent play so far by Ai Miyazato, Suzann Pettersen, Yani Tseng and other rising stars."
Since its launch on February 21, 2006 as the first-ever comprehensive world rankings system for women's golf, only two other players have held the top spot: LPGA Tour and World Golf Hall of Fame member Annika Sorenstam and Lorena Ochoa, who retired from active play as the Rolex Rankings No. 1 at last week's Tres Marias Championship. The Rolex Rankings feature a rolling 104-week period which dates back to 2008, when Shin won three times on the LPGA - including the RICOH Women's British Open and season-ending ADT Championship - as a non-member and seven times on the Korea LPGA (KLPGA) including the season Grand Slam.
Rolex Rankings points are awarded based on the field strength and evaluate a player's performance over a rolling two-year period weighted in favor of the current year with even more importance placed on the most recent 13 weeks.
The 22-year-old turned professional in 2005 and burst onto the KLPGA scene in 2006, earning Rookie and Player of the Year honors on the heels of four victories. In 2007, Shin broke the KLPGA career money record set by Il Mi Chung (99 events) after just 33 events and recorded 16 top 10 finishes in 18 events played including nine victories. In all, she has 31 professional wins (20 KLPGA, six LPGA, three JLPGA, two Ladies Asian Golf Tour) in her fifth season of full-time professional competition.
"Golf is huge in South Korea. It is really, really popular," said Shin. "Everyone likes golf and they like watching the LPGA Tour too. After my win in Japan last week, many people called me and said "Congratulations, I heard you might be No. 1." So, I'm really proud for myself and also for my country and for my family. I'm a little bit sad because my mom is not here for this special day, but I know that she is always with me. She helps me from heaven."
Shin was at a driving range in Korea in 2004 when her mother and two younger siblings were injured in a car accident. Her mother died as a result of her injuries and her siblings spent nearly a year in the hospital - with Shin at their side - before recovering. Her father invested her mother's life insurance money into Shin's golf career.
Shin will have work to do to keep the Rolex Rankings No. 1 honor. She holds a narrow 0.18 point margin over Rolex Rankings No. 3 Ai Miyazato, who will compete at the JLPGA's first major of the season, the Salonpas Cup, this week. Pending the Salonpas Cup strength of field, Miyazato may be able to take over as Rolex Rankings No. 1 with a strong finish. Miyazato has won three of the five tournaments played on the LPGA this season, including two consecutive to start the season. She recorded a one-shot victory yesterday at the Tres Marias Championship in Morelia, Mexico.
Suzann Pettersen and Yani Tseng will also be factors in the race for No. 1 this season. Lorena Ochoa has petitioned the Rolex Rankings Technical Committee to remove her name from the list as soon as possible.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., May 3, 2010 - South Korean Jiyai Shin is the top-ranked player in the world according to the Rolex Rankings released today. Shin's ascent to the top of women's professional golf comes just one day after Lorena Ochoa retired from active play on the LPGA Tour as the Rolex Rankings No. 1. Ochoa held the spot for 158 weeks since overtaking Annika Sorenstam on April 23, 2007.
"I can't believe I am the Rolex Rankings No. 1," said Shin from her home in South Korea. "There are so many good players out there. To think that I am No. 1, I just can't believe it."
Shin, who won last week's CyberAgent Ladies on the Japan LPGA (JLPGA), topped the LPGA Official Money List in 2009 - the first South Korean to do so - and also earned Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year honors.
"Today is a historic day for the LPGA and we are all proud of what Jiyai Shin has achieved as only the third-ever Rolex Rankings No. 1," said LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan. "She has earned it through hard work and skill, and we expect a real battle all season for No. 1 in the Rolex Rankings due to the excellent play so far by Ai Miyazato, Suzann Pettersen, Yani Tseng and other rising stars."
Since its launch on February 21, 2006 as the first-ever comprehensive world rankings system for women's golf, only two other players have held the top spot: LPGA Tour and World Golf Hall of Fame member Annika Sorenstam and Lorena Ochoa, who retired from active play as the Rolex Rankings No. 1 at last week's Tres Marias Championship. The Rolex Rankings feature a rolling 104-week period which dates back to 2008, when Shin won three times on the LPGA - including the RICOH Women's British Open and season-ending ADT Championship - as a non-member and seven times on the Korea LPGA (KLPGA) including the season Grand Slam.
Rolex Rankings points are awarded based on the field strength and evaluate a player's performance over a rolling two-year period weighted in favor of the current year with even more importance placed on the most recent 13 weeks.
The 22-year-old turned professional in 2005 and burst onto the KLPGA scene in 2006, earning Rookie and Player of the Year honors on the heels of four victories. In 2007, Shin broke the KLPGA career money record set by Il Mi Chung (99 events) after just 33 events and recorded 16 top 10 finishes in 18 events played including nine victories. In all, she has 31 professional wins (20 KLPGA, six LPGA, three JLPGA, two Ladies Asian Golf Tour) in her fifth season of full-time professional competition.
"Golf is huge in South Korea. It is really, really popular," said Shin. "Everyone likes golf and they like watching the LPGA Tour too. After my win in Japan last week, many people called me and said "Congratulations, I heard you might be No. 1." So, I'm really proud for myself and also for my country and for my family. I'm a little bit sad because my mom is not here for this special day, but I know that she is always with me. She helps me from heaven."
Shin was at a driving range in Korea in 2004 when her mother and two younger siblings were injured in a car accident. Her mother died as a result of her injuries and her siblings spent nearly a year in the hospital - with Shin at their side - before recovering. Her father invested her mother's life insurance money into Shin's golf career.
Shin will have work to do to keep the Rolex Rankings No. 1 honor. She holds a narrow 0.18 point margin over Rolex Rankings No. 3 Ai Miyazato, who will compete at the JLPGA's first major of the season, the Salonpas Cup, this week. Pending the Salonpas Cup strength of field, Miyazato may be able to take over as Rolex Rankings No. 1 with a strong finish. Miyazato has won three of the five tournaments played on the LPGA this season, including two consecutive to start the season. She recorded a one-shot victory yesterday at the Tres Marias Championship in Morelia, Mexico.
Suzann Pettersen and Yani Tseng will also be factors in the race for No. 1 this season. Lorena Ochoa has petitioned the Rolex Rankings Technical Committee to remove her name from the list as soon as possible.