Top 5: Breakthrough players of 2016
As the 2016 is wrapping up we take a look back at the breakthrough performances from this season including rookies making waves, major success and first time winners on the Ladies European Tour and LPGA.
Here are the players we think are only just getting started…
5. In Gee Chun
In Gee has been winning events on the LPGA of Korea and LPGA of Japan tours since 2013, notching up 11 in total until the end of 2015 as well as lifting the U.S. Women’s Open trophy.
Chun’s incredible 2015 also saw her hold Major titles on all three of the above tours. After this stellar year In Gee joined the LPGA tour full time.
Throughout 2016 on the LPGA In Gee won the Rolex Louise Suggs Rookie of the Year award and currently sits the third in the Rolex Rankings.
This is down to 11 top-10 finishes including winning the Evian Championship in September with a record-breaking 21 under par, which is the lowest winning score signed for on any golf tour!
We predict at least another major in 2017 plus climbing to world No 1.
4. Charley Hull
It seems like a LPGA win has been a long time coming for Charley with her being the British hopeful at tournaments since playing in her first Solheim Cup and winning the LET Rookie of the Year award in 2013.
Four top-10 finishes in 2016 on the LPGA meant a win was imminent and it came at the CME Group Tour Championship on the LPGA.
This win saw her leap up the world rankings to 18th in the world and see currently sits in fifth on the Ladies European Tour Solheim points rankings.
We predict at least another LPGA win in 2017 and a strong performance at the Solheim Cup.
3. Georgia Hall
After 14 starts during 2016 Georgia has carded seven top 10s which is the consistency that has got her to third on the order of merit standings.
The last four events on the Ladies European Tour have resulted in a second place (behind Beth Allen), third, fourth and seventh place so even though Georgia hasn’t won on tour just yet, a win can’t be far away.
Georgia is also at the top of the Ladies European Tour Solheim Cup points rankings with just under nine months to go.
We’re predicting that 2017 will result in multiple wins for Georgia… you heard it here first!
2. Beth Allen
Our breakthrough performances aren’t just for new players on tour, some players like Beth Allen have been grinding it out for years, and we think this has been her year to shine!
After notching up her first professional win in 2015 at the ISPS Handa Ladies European Masters, 2016 was going to be a great year.
The year started with consistent results, two 3rd places and a second place in Andalucia which meant a win was imminent, and it was.
Two back-to-back wins topped off the perfect season for Beth with a win at the Lacoste Ladies Open de France by four shots followed by winning the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Open by three shots.
Beth is currently leading the 2016 Order of Merit on the LET and will be playing in the final stage of LPGA Q-School for her chance to earn her tour card for the LPGA tour.
1. Aditi Ashok
The teenager made her intention clear for the Ladies European Tour right from the start of 2016 when she became the youngest winner of Q-School to start her journey.
After a steady start to the season Ashok really found her form after competing in the Olympics in Rio in August by recording four back-to-back top 10s.
Then came the wins at HERO Women’s Indian Open followed by the next event the Qatar Ladies Open by three shots.
This week Aditi is playing in the final stage of LPGA Q-School for her chance to play against the best players in the world week in, week out.
