Kim Jaeho Wins First Title in 18 Years, Climbs from 1,469th to 690th in World Rankings

Kim Jaeho, the son of Kim Yonghee, the manager of the Lotte Giants' minor league baseball team, has climbed to 690th in the world golf rankings at the age of 43.

According to the official men's golf weekly world rankings announced on November 2 (local time), Kim earned 0.1821 points, making a remarkable leap of 779 spots from last week's 1,469th position. Kim Jaeho secured his first-ever victory at the Lexus Masters on the Korea Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) Tour last week, which had a total prize fund of 1 billion won, earning him valuable ranking points. This win marks his first tour victory in 18 years since he began competing in KPGA Tour events in 2008.

Kim Jaeho is smiling brightly while holding the trophy right after winning the Lexus Masters. Photo by Lexus Masters Tournament Organizing Committee

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This tournament was Kim Jaeho's 210th appearance since joining the tour. His previous best results were a tie for second place at the 2012 KPGA Championship and a runner-up finish at the 2019 DB Insurance Promy Open. Earlier this year, his best performance was a tie for 10th at the GS Caltex Maekyung Open in May. After confirming his victory, he celebrated by wearing a Lotte Giants jersey with his father Kim Yonghee's name on it.

There were no changes at the top of the rankings as no PGA Tour event was held in the United States. Scottie Scheffler (United States), Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland), and Xander Schauffele (United States) remained in the top three. Among Korean players, Im Sungjae is ranked 36th, Kim Siwoo is 62nd, An Byeonghun is 82nd, and Kim Joo-hyung is 91st. Ok Taehun, who has already clinched the KPGA Tour Player of the Year award, is ranked 168th.

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