Shanshan Feng is the new No. 1 player in women’s golf.
And yet a new No.1 in the Rolex Rankings is not a rare occurrence—at least not in 2017. Including Feng, there have been five women who have held the top spot this season. The others are Lydia Ko, Ariya Jutanguran, So Yeon Ryu and Sung Hyun Park.
Nonetheless, there is something new here. Feng, 28, is the first Chinese golfer, female or male, to be ranked No. 1 in the world. She is absolutely thrilled.
“I finished first in China,” Feng said on Sunday after winning the Blue Bay LPGA on Hainan Island, “so I actually claimed the world No. 1 in front of all the people at home.”
Feng’s triumph was her second consecutive victory and third title of the season. She closed with a 2-under 70 for a 9-under total of 279, a single shot better than runner-up Moriya Jutanugarn. Park, last week’s world No. 1, finished in a tie for third.
“I hope all the Chinese are going to be watching me and that the Chinese will continue to play golf,” Feng said.
Born in the city of Guangzhou, Feng turned professional in 2007. She won the 2012 Wegmans LPGA Championship, a major, and was the bronze medalist in the 2016 Olympics. Obviously, she also plays some of her best golf in Asia, where she has finished in the top three in her last four events.
Feng has collected a total of nine LPGA titles and hopes to enter the Hall of Fame at the end of her career. As Golfweek reported, she has 10 of 27 points required to enter the Hall.
This week’s CME Group Tour Championship is the LPGA’s season-ending tournament that includes a $1 million bonus. Feng and a stellar field tee off on Thursday in Naples, Florida.
Neil Sagebiel
Latest posts by Neil Sagebiel (see all)
- Playing Other Sports Can Help Improve Your Golf Game - November 17, 2018
- VIDEO GOLF INSTRUCTION: Dave Pelz on Hitting Wedge Shots in the Wind - October 5, 2018
- 2018 Ryder Cup: Team USA Still Lacks Team Mindset - October 1, 2018
