Woad 'ready for the moment' in pro debut
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NBC Sports
3 days ago
- NBC Sports
Jeeno Thitikul replaces Nelly Korda as world No. 1 in Rolex Rankings
The Golf Central crew analyzes Miyu Yamashita's victory at the AIG Women's Open, discussing her "high ceiling" going into next season. Jeeno Thitikul is once again world No. 1, replacing Nelly Korda atop the Rolex Rankings. This is the second time Thitikul has ascended to the top of the rankings. She was there for two weeks in the fall of 2022. Korda has been world No. 1 since March 24, 2024, a span of 72 weeks. She has, throughout her career, spent a total of 108 weeks atop the rankings. Jin Young Ko holds the record with 163 weeks. Korda, following seven wins last season, is winless in 2025 and coming off a tie for 36th at the AIG Women's Open. Thitikul tied for 30th at Royal Porthcawl, which was enough to edge Korda off the mountaintop. The 22-year-old Thai has one win this year (Mizuho Americas Open) and a runner-up finish at the Amundi Evian Championship, where she lost in a playoff. She captured the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship as part of a two-win 2024. Here's a look at the history of world No. 1s in the Rolex Rankings, per the LPGA, dating to its establishment in 2006 (number of times reaching No. 1 in parenthesis).
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Newsweek
Nelly Korda Loses World No. 1 Spot After Poor AIG Women's Open Showing
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Nelly Korda is arguably the best player in the world, but she hasn't been showing it as much as she'd like lately, and the world rankings are relentless with results. When the list is updated this Monday, Korda won't be in the top spot for the first time since March 2024. The two-time major champion entered the AIG Women's Open just 0.19 average points ahead of World No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul. The Thai finished the final major of the season two strokes ahead of Korda, taking her into the No. 1 spot for the first time in her career. This prediction was made by the X Nosferatu account (@VC606), which specializes in covering the various world golf rankings. Thitikul and Korda finished tied for 30th and 36th, respectively, at Royal Porthcawl. Just as the gap between the two players was narrow there, so too will it be in the world rankings. Therefore, Korda could quickly overcome this setback if she improves her results in the second half of the season. However, the 15-time LPGA Tour winner has proven herself prepared for these kinds of moments throughout her career. "As many highs as I've had, I've had a lot of lows too with this sport," she said during her pre-AIG Women's Open press conference, "but I still come back and I still want to experience those highs in all the different circumstances, different golf courses, different conditions. And just continue to grow my love for the game." Korda reached the top spot in the world rankings in June 2021, holding it for 29 consecutive weeks. He then spent the next two seasons moving up and down the rankings until he regained the top spot in March 2024 and held it until this week. She has had a solid year, although not at the levels expected after her historic previous season. The 27-year-old has achieved five top-10 finishes in 12 LPGA tournaments, including two second places, but has not won a single title. In contrast, last season she won seven events, five of them in a row, including a major championship. Nelly Korda of the United States looks on on the 18th green during the third round of the AIG Women's Open 2025 at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club on August 02, 2025 in Bridgend, Wales. Nelly Korda of the United States looks on on the 18th green during the third round of the AIG Women's Open 2025 at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club on August 02, 2025 in Bridgend, Wales. Getty Images/Warren Little Thitikul, meanwhile, started the season in the best possible way: winning the PIF Saudi Ladies International on the Ladies European Tour. On the LPGA Tour, she has played 12 events with only one finish outside the top 25 (missing the cut at the US Women's Open). Her results on the world's main tour include one victory (Mizuho Americas Open) and seven top-10 finishes. Her two second places are also noteworthy. As you may recall, Thitikul closed last season by winning the CME Group Tour Championship, for which she received the largest paycheck in all of women's professional golf: $4 million. More Golf: LPGA Sensation Recreates Rory McIlroy's Ball-Finding Moment at Women's Open
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Japan's Miyu Yamashita and Rio Takeda pull away from the field at Women's British Open
PORTHCAWL, Wales (AP) — Miyu Yamashita started and finished with short birdie putts and was flawless in between as she posted a 7-under 65 on Friday to build a three-shot lead over Rio Takeda going into the weekend of the Women's British Open. The Japanese players, both among the top 15 in the women's world ranking, played in the same group at Royal Porthcawl and put on a show in the second round, matching great shots and big putts that left the rest of the field far behind. Takeda was the only player within seven shots of Yamashita. Nelly Korda (72) and rising English star Lottie Woad (70) were among the top 10 on the leaderboard and still nine shots behind at the halfway point. Woad was on the cusp of contention until a triple bogey on the par-4 16th. 'There was a lot more good in it than bad,' Woad said. 'Played really well for 17 holes, just that one hole cost me a bit.' Yamashita was bogey-free and did most of her damage with four birdies in a five-hole stretch around the turn as she took advantage of an early start before stronger wind arrived. 'I didn't make any particular adjustments to my swing, but the wind was strong, so I think shots are important, as well as club selection and the direction I aim at the target,' Yamashita said. 'So things like that are important, so I played while keeping in mind the image I've been practicing so far.' Takeda, whose two LPGA Tour titles include the Toto Japan Classic last year before she was a member, was slowed by a pair of bogeys. Takeda atoned for that with a superb approach into the par-5 ninth that settled within tap-in range for eagle. She shot 69. 'I was able to play calmly today, and I hope to focus on my game and play calmly again tomorrow,' Takeda said. Yamashita, who celebrates her 24th birthday on Saturday, was at 11-under 133. Chiara Tamburlini of Switzerland and Pajaree Anannarukarn of Thailand each shot 69 and were tied for third at 4-under 140, along with American Lindy Duncan (70) and Laura Fuenfstueck of Germany, who had a 71. The cut was at 2-over 146. Brooke Henderson of Canada was right on the cut line until missing a 4-foot par putt on the windblown 17th, and then failing to make birdie on the par-5 closing hole. Also missing the cut were world No. 4 Ruoning Yin (77), Rose Zhang (76) and U.S. Women's Open champion Maja Stark (78). Yani Tseng of Taiwan, a two-time Women's British Open champion and former No. 1 player in the world, shot 73 and made the cut in a major for the first time in eight years. It was her first made cut in an LPGA event since the Swinging Skirts LPGA Taiwan Championship in 2018. Korda remains the No. 1 player in women's golf despite not winning this year, and she now faces a tall order with a nine-shot deficit for the last 36 holes. 'Honestly didn't really capitalize on anything in the calmer conditions on the front nine, then kind of got really windy on the back,' Korda said. 'Made a few more mistakes but bounced back with some birdies. Overall, I'm not going to complain with even par.' Woad made the best run at the Japanese duo until one swing and one nasty lie cost her. She had a 3-wood for her second shot into a strong wind on the par-4 16th. It sailed to the right into thick grass. Her first hack moved the golf ball only a few inches. She had to take a penalty shot for an unplayable lie, got that one on the green and two-putted for a triple bogey. She closed with two pars for a 70, a score that otherwise would seem satisfactory. 'I'd certainly take it now, but not when I was standing on the 16th tee,' Woad said with a smile. 'Yeah, just got to try to play well over the weekend. It's pretty packed, so I can move up a bit.' Everyone is chasing Yamashita, who led the Japan LPGA money list in 2022 and 2023 while winning five times in each of those seasons. She also finished one shot out of a playoff for the bronze medal in the Paris Olympics last year. For now, she is thinking only about keeping her rhythm in the wind. 'I haven't particularly worried about expected scores until now. I'm always thinking about competing for a high ranking in each tournament, and I just played with my day in mind,' Yamashita said. 'So I'm glad that my score and ranking worked out.' ___ AP golf: The Associated Press
