Lydia Ko Back on Top of Women's Golf After More Than 5 Years

Golfer Lydia Ko reclaimed the No.1 spot in the latest Rolex women's world rankings released on Tuesday.

Ko returned to the top for the first time in five years and five months since June 2017, overtaking Nelly Korda of the U.S.

She won the CME Group Tour Championship, the LPGA Tour's season finale, in Naples, Florida last week. 

With the victory, she earned this year's Rolex Player of the Year award as well as the Vare Trophy, which is given to the player with the lowest scoring average, and also topped the money list for the year.

"I'm very grateful to be world No. 1 again. To be honest, I wasn't sure if I'd ever be back here again," said Ko. "This wouldn't have been possible without my family and team. Thank you for your belief and love."

This is the third time that Ko has reached the top in women's golf. She first achieved the feat in February 2015 when she was just 18 years old. Park In-bee took the top spot from her in June of the same year, but Ko reclaimed it four months later in October and enjoyed a nearly two-year reign until June 2017.

Ko is engaged to marry Hyundai heir Chung Jun, the son of Hyundai Card vice president Chung Tae-young. Their wedding ceremony will be held at Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul on Dec. 30.