
Lydia Ko is projected to become the youngest World No. 1 Player (Photo Credit: Chris Trotman/Getty Images)
Feb. 2, 2015 ~ Lydia Ko finished in a tie for second at the Coates Golf Championship on Sunday and in the process became the youngest No. 1 in the world in golf history – men’s or women’s – at the age of 17. The previous record was Tiger Woods when he became No. 1 at the age of 21 in 1997. Yani Tseng previously held the women’s record at the age of 22. Ko overtook Inbee Park for the No. 1 spot.
When the dust settled on one of the tumultuous back nines in recent LPGA memory, Lydia Ko emerged with the No. 1 ranking but not the tournament title after a double bogey on the 17th derailed her from the title that Na Yeon Choi walked away with. Choi finished one shot clear of Ko, Ha Na Jang and Jessica Korda at the Coates Golf Championship Presented by R&L Carriers at 16 under. But when Lydia Ko exited the scorer’s tent, she was informed that at 17 years old she was the new projected No. 1 when the rankings are released come Monday.
She let out an exasperated gasp, rolled her eyes as if the mere thought of No. 1 was an annoyance, everyone laughed, and she smiled and ran over to take selfies with fans. Only Ko could have remained this cool throughout a disappointing loss and subsequent major honor. As always, nothing seems to have an influence on the new projected world No. 1.
“It’s amazing. I didn’t know that, I didn’t really know what I needed to do to get in that position. All I was focused was try and play my best out here today. So it’s a huge honor to be in that ranking,” Ko said. “I’m just going to focus on my golf, not think about the rankings. The rankings, like I said, it always comes after the results.”
WHEN THEY REACHED NO. 1 | |||||
PLAYER | AGE | WINS | TOP-10 | EVENTS | MC |
Lydia Ko | 17/9/9 | 5 | 23 | 43 | 0 |
Tiger Woods | 21/5/16 | 5 | 16 | 36 | 9 |
Jiyai Shin | 22/0/5 | 6 | 24 | 47 | 1 |
Yani Tseng | 22/0/22 | 6 | 34 | 78 | 5 |
YOUNGEST NO. 1’S ALL SPORTS | |||
PLAYER | AGE | YEAR | ORG |
Martina Hingis | 16/6/1 | 1997 | WTA |
Monica Seles | 17/3/9 | 1991 | WTA |
Tracy Austin | 17/3/26 | 1980 | WTA |
Lydia Ko | 17/9/9 | 2015 | LPGA |
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