Ryu takes World No. 1 spot with latest LPGA win
So Yeon Ryu is the third World No. 1 in as many weeks after she captured the NW Arkansas Championship by two shots to end Ariya Jutanugarn’s short stay at the top of the rankings.
South Korean Ryu finished the 54-hole LPGA Tour event at 18-under-par for her second win of the season and 15th overall. She had gone into the final round leading by five, and even though the gap was closed by compatriot Amy Yang and Thailand’s Moriya Jutanugarn, a closing two-under 69 was enough for Ryu to take the title and a first stint atop the rankings.
Ryu won her second major at the ANA Inspiration earlier this year after Lexi Thompson was handed a four-shot penalty in controversial circumstances as golf once again shot itself in the foot.
Now she has leapfrogged Lydia Ko and the younger of the Jutanugarn sisters to take top spot.
“Dreams come true,” the 26-year-old said. “I always dreamed about it. I cannot believe it. I didn’t expect two good things coming together.”
In the Winner's Circle with @1soyeonryu @NWAChampionship – the new Rolex Rankings No. 1! pic.twitter.com/nBQWvlzyab
— LPGA (@LPGA) June 26, 2017
English trio Mel Reid, who aced the par-3 11th on the opening day. Jodi Ewart Shadoff, and Flic Johnson finished at six-, four- and three-under-par respectively.
The other Britons in the field, Bronte Law (+2), Stephanie Meadow (+2), Laura Davies (+7) and Becky Morgan (+8) all failed to make the cut.
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