Kim Juhyung, World Ranking Soars 116 Spots in One Year

by Lee Seohee

Published 27 Dec.2022 09:18(KST)

From 131st Last Year to 15th in the Final Week This Year
McIlroy Holds 1st Place for 10 Consecutive Weeks
Mickelson Falls Outside Top 200 for the First Time in 30 Years

Kim Juhyung is being interviewed by Asia Economy at a location in Jung-gu, Seoul on October 31st./Photo by Kang Jinhyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seohee Lee] Kim Joo-hyung maintained his 15th place in the men's golf world rankings announced in the last week of 2022. He finished the year having climbed an impressive 116 spots in just one year.

According to the weekly men's golf world rankings released on the 27th (Korean time), Kim Joo-hyung recorded 4.2657 ranking points, holding steady at 15th place from the previous week.

Kim Joo-hyung, who secured two wins on the PGA Tour this year, rose more than 100 spots in the rankings over the past year. His world ranking at the end of last year was 131st, marking a remarkable 116-place jump in one year.

In August, Kim became the youngest Korean PGA Tour champion by winning the Wyndham Championship. He claimed his first victory in just his 15th PGA Tour event. Later, in October, he won his second PGA Tour title at the Shriners Children's Open.

The number one spot in the men's rankings is held by Rory McIlroy (UK). With 8.6456 ranking points, he has maintained the top position for 10 consecutive weeks. This year, he won three PGA Tour events: the RBC Canadian Open, the Tour Championship, and The CJ Cup. After winning The CJ Cup in October, he overtook Scottie Scheffler (USA) to become world number one for the ninth time in his career. He has held the top spot for 10 weeks since then.

Phil Mickelson (USA) dropped four places from the previous week to 213th. On the 12th, he fell outside the top 200 for the first time in his 30-year professional career, ranking 201st. This week, he slipped further to 213th. Mickelson transferred this summer to LIV Golf, sponsored by the Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund, for an astronomical transfer fee. LIV Golf events do not award world ranking points.