'Super Rookie' Minsol Kim Becomes Youngest Player to Enter World Top 50

'Super rookie' Kim Minsol has climbed to 43rd place in the world rankings.

On April 13 (local time), Kim Minsol received 1.87 points in the weekly Women's World Golf Rankings, rising 30 spots from 73rd last week to 43rd. Among players competing on the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour, she holds the highest ranking.

As a KLPGA Tour rookie this year, Kim Minsol secured victory at the iM Financial Open (total prize money of 1 billion won), which concluded on April 12 at Golfzon County Sunsan in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province (par 72, 6,778 yards). She recorded a final total of 11-under-par 277, finishing four shots ahead of the joint runners-up.

Kim Minsol is giving an official interview immediately after winning the iM Financial Open. Provided by KLPGA

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Kim Minsol achieved a wire-to-wire victory, maintaining the lead throughout all four days. This marks her third career win, following victories at last year's BC Card·Hankyung Ladies Cup and Dongbu Construction·Korea Land & Trust Championship. Although she collected two wins last year, she is competing as a rookie this season due to an insufficient number of appearances previously.

Born in 2006, Kim Minsol is the youngest player within the top 50 of the world rankings. Until last week, the youngest within the top 50 was Suga Fuka (Japan), born in 2005, who was ranked 47th.

There were no changes at the top as there was no LPGA Tour event this week. Atthaya Thitikul (Thailand), Nelly Korda (USA), and Kim Hyojoo maintained the 1st to 3rd spots.

Among Korean players, Kim Seiyoung is ranked 10th, Yoo Haeran is 13th, and Choi Hyejin is 17th. Kim Arim stands at 27th, Hwang Yoomin at 32nd, Lee Somi at 39th, Lim Jinhui at 40th, Ko Jin-young at 42nd, and Hong Jeongmin at 46th.

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