'Sister Champions' Koh Jiwon Jumps from 253rd to 146th in World Rankings

Jeju Samdasoo Masters Victory Propels Koh Jiwon Up 107 Spots
Thitikul, Korda, Lydia Ko Remain in Top 3
Kim Hyojoo 8th, Ko Jin-young 16th, Yoon Ina 43rd

Koh Jiwon has climbed to No. 146 in the world rankings.

In the women's golf world rankings announced on August 11 (local time), she earned 0.85 points, making a remarkable leap of 107 spots from last week's 253rd place. She accumulated ranking points by winning the Jeju Samdasoo Masters (total prize money 1 billion KRW) on the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour, held the previous day at the North and West Courses (par 72) of the Cypress Golf & Resort in Seogwipo, Jeju Island. Debuting in 2023, she claimed her first-ever victory in her 61st tournament, just three years into her professional career.

Koh Jiwon is posing with the trophy right after winning the Jeju Samdasoo Masters. Photo by KLPGA

Koh Jiwon, who previously held conditional status on the KLPGA Tour, achieved a dramatic turnaround by securing full playing rights for all events with this tournament victory. She has now secured her KLPGA Tour card through 2027. Following her older sister Koh Jiwoo, who has already won three times, Koh Jiwon also became a champion, making them the second pair of sisters to both win on the KLPGA Tour after Hee Young Park and Joo Young Park. Since Koh Jiwoo won the McCall Mona Yongpyong Open in June, this marks the first time that sisters have each won a tournament in the same season.

Last week, there were no changes at the top of the rankings as no LPGA Tour event was held. Atthaya Thitikul (Thailand), Nelly Korda (USA), Lydia Ko (New Zealand), Minjee Lee (Australia), and Yin Ruoning (China) remained in the top five. Among Korean players, Kim Hyojoo ranked 8th, Yoo Hae Ran 9th, Ko Jin Young 16th, Choi Hye Jin 23rd, Kim A Lim 28th, Yang Hee Young 33rd, Kim Sei Young 34th, Lee Ye Won 37th, and Yoon Ina 43rd.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.