A 13-year-old LPGA mark has fallen.
Following her tie for 20th at the 2023 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, Jin Young Ko is ranked No. 1 for a 159th week, breaking the mark held by Lorena Ochoa.
Ko has been No. 1 five different times since April 2019, with her latest stint starting in May. Ochoa reached 158 weeks at No. 1 after she consecutively held the top spot from April 2007 to May 2010.
“It’s an honor people saying with Lorena and me in the same sentence. It makes me happy, but also it makes me humble,” said Ko, who has had Ochoa’s long-time caddie Dave Brooker on her bag for most of her time at world No. 1. “It’s great to honor, to stand with Lorena.”
Time spent at No. 1
- Jin Young Ko: 159 weeks
- Lydia Ko: 125 weeks
- Yani Tseng: 109 weeks
- Inbee Park: 106 weeks
- Annika Sorenstam: 61 weeks
Jin Young Ko is one of five Korean players to have obtained the top spot. She has two victories so far in 2023 and 15 in her career, including two majors. Ko also leads the Race to the CME Globe, a season-long points race on the LPGA.