Ariya Jutanugarn will rise to World No.1 when the Rolex Rankings are released later today, after a dramatic win in Canada at the LPGA Manulife Classic.
Ariya Jutanugarn will rise to World No.1 when the Rolex Rankings are released later today, after a dramatic win in Canada at the LPGA Manulife Classic.
The Thai player sealed her first victory of the season with a surprise play-off victory at Whistle Bear Golf Club. The tournament had appeared a foregone conclusion at the halfway stage on Sunday, with Lexi Thompson holding as much as a four-shot lead at one point, but the American would go on to three-putt the last two holes to drop down into a tie with Jutanugarn and Korean In Gee Chun.
In the first playoff hole, Thompson, after a booming drive, hit a poor chip and left herself a long putt off the green. She nestled that up close, but after Chun missed her birdie attempt, it was up to Jutanugarn for birdie, and she nailed it.
“I just can't believe I win the tournament,” said Jutanugarn. “When I got here I didn't feel comfortable to hit the golf ball and (I was) scared to hit my tee shot.''
Jutanugarn was originally named World No.1 last week, but a glitch in the LPGA system resulted in Lydia Ko, who had held onto the top spot for 85 weeks, remaining .01 points ahead of her rival.
With Jutanugarn's victory, and the New Zealander not competing in Canada, there is unlikely to be a similar mistake this time around.
“To be honest, I didn't pay attention with the ranking. I only want to go out and have fun,” admitting with a smile her celebration plans tonight merely consist of her texting her sister, fellow LPGA Tour member Moriya Jutanugarn, and sleeping in her car while her caddy drives to Grand Rapids, Michigan.
It was a fantastic week for England's Jodi Ewart Shadoff who finished in a season high fourth position after four consecutive sub-70 rounds. Currently the third highest ranked player in the Race to the CME Globe, the Yorkshire golfer has now made a strong case for inclusion in Annika Sorenstam's European Solheim Cup team.
The Brightest And Boldest Golf Fashion This Summer. Read More
