Can Hwang Yu-min Claim Both Rookie of Year and World No. 1? History Shows 9-9 Split

Since the women's golf world rankings were first announced in February 2006, a total of 18 players have reached the No. 1 position at least once. Of those 18, exactly half—nine players—were Rookie of the Year recipients, while the other nine reached world No. 1 without winning the rookie title. The numbers are evenly split at 9-9, but there is a significant difference in combined tenure at the top: the nine Rookie of the Year alumni held the No. 1 spot for a combined 708 weeks, while the nine non-rookie title holders managed just 333 weeks.

The roster of world No. 1 players who were also Rookie of the Year is impressive. In reverse chronological order: Jeeno Thitikul (Thailand, 2022 Rookie of the Year), Ko Jin-young (2018), Park Sung-hyun (2017), Lydia Ko (New Zealand, 2014), Yoo So-yeon (2012), Shin Ji-yae (2009), Yani Tseng (Taiwan, 2008), Lorena Ochoa (Mexico, 2003), and Annika Sorenstam (Sweden, 1994). Four of these nine players are Korean.

Then there are the "comeback queens" who reached world No. 1 without winning Rookie of the Year. Again in reverse order: Yin Ruoning (China, 13th as a rookie in 2022), Lilia Vu (United States, 26th in 2019), Nelly Korda (United States, 3rd in 2017), Ariya Jutanugarn (Thailand, 6th in 2015), Stacy Lewis (United States, 7th in 2009), Feng Shanshan (China, 5th in 2008), Park In-bee (3rd in 2007), Ai Miyazato (Japan, 4th in 2006), and Cristie Kerr (United States, 6th in 1997).

Only two true underdogs—players ranked outside the top 10 as rookies—have reached world No. 1: Yin Ruoning and Lilia Vu. Park In-bee is the only Korean player to reach world No. 1 without being Rookie of the Year. Interestingly, no player who finished second in rookie rankings has ever reached world No. 1—forever the bridesmaid.

Two players who ranked third as rookies went on to claim the top spot: Korda (2017 rookie class) and Park In-bee (2007 rookie class), exactly ten years apart. Among players with the longest tenures at world No. 1, the top four are all Rookie of the Year recipients: Ko Jin-young (163 weeks), Ochoa (158 weeks), Lydia Ko (125 weeks), and Tseng (109 weeks). Fifth and sixth are Korda (108 weeks) and Park In-bee (106 weeks), both former third-ranked rookies.

There have been 33 LPGA Rookies of the Year in total. Nine reached world No. 1, while 24 did not. Of the 15 Korean Rookies of the Year, four have reached the top ranking. Four rookie classes have produced two future world No. 1 players: 2022 (Thitikul, Yin Ruoning), 2017 (Park Sung-hyun, Korda), 2009 (Shin Ji-yae, Lewis), and 2008 (Tseng, Feng Shanshan).

The current world No. 1 is 2022 Rookie of the Year Thitikul. No rookie from 2023 onward has yet reached the top ranking. Ryu Hae-ran (2023 Rookie of the Year) is ranked 12th, Saigo Mao of Japan (2024) is 11th, and Yamashita Miyu of Japan (2025) is 4th.

This brings us to Hwang Yu-min, who began 2026 ranked first among rookies. She aims to capture both Rookie of the Year and world No. 1. History shows that half of the world No. 1 players struggled in their rookie year. Yoon Yi-na, who finished seventh among 2024 rookies, also has her sights set on the top ranking.

The battle among Korean women golfers to become the 19th world No. 1 has begun anew.

Who will become the 19th player to reach world No. 1—a Rookie of the Year or not? Current trends favor the former.