South Korea's Hwang Yu-min, the current LPGA rookie points leader, faces a serious threat to her top position as she sits out a second consecutive event, with Japan's long-hitting rookie Hara Erika poised to overtake her at this week's ShopRite LPGA Classic.
The ShopRite LPGA Classic, held the week before the US Women's Open — the season's second major — is missing a large number of top-ranked players. Twenty of the world's top 25 are absent from the field. The highest-ranked player in the field is world No. 7 Charley Hull of England, followed by world No. 15 Choi Hye-jin. World No. 18 Iwai Akie of Japan, world No. 20 Iwai Chisato of Japan, and world No. 24 Jennifer Kupcho of the United States — the defending champion — round out the top-25 players in the field.
While many top-ranked players are absent, rookies are turning out in force. Of the 28 rookies, only five are skipping the event. Unfortunately, Hwang Yu-min, the current rookie rankings leader, is among those five. She has now sat out two consecutive tournaments, including the previous Kroger Queen City Championship.
Hwang took over the rookie No. 1 spot after finishing tied for fifth at the season-opening Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, and she has not relinquished the lead since. But while Hwang recharges for her next push, a formidable challenger has emerged to threaten her position: Japan's long-hitter Hara Erika.
The gap between first-place Hwang (291 points) and second-place Hara (277 points) is just 14 points. Hara has three top-10 finishes — two more than Hwang's single top-10 result. However, the quality of Hara's top-10s is not particularly high, with one tied-10th and two tied-ninth finishes.
Still, the probability that Hara will take over the rookie No. 1 spot this week is quite high. At the ShopRite LPGA Classic, which begins Thursday (local time) at the Bay Course (par 71) of Seaview Hotel and Golf Club in Galloway, U.S., a finish of 35th or better by Hara would change the face of the rookie standings. The rookie points awarded for 36th place are 14. Hara has been on an upward trend over her last three events, with finishes of tied-ninth, tied-ninth, and tied-16th.
Third in the rookie rankings is Melanie Green of the United States with 156 points. Mimi Rhodes of England is fourth with 134 points. Both players are competing at the ShopRite LPGA Classic.
Hwang's counterattack will resume next week at the US Women's Open. Major championships award double the rookie points of regular events. At the Chevron Championship, the season's first major, Hwang finished tied for 12th — the highest finish among rookies.
