Tuesday, May 20, 2014

22 Under 22: May 2014 Update

The under-22 crowd has been taking the world of women's golf by storm in 2014.  And that's not even counting amazing amateurs like 15-year-old Minami Katsu, who made history by winning on the JLPGA and eclipsing Hyo Joo Kim's record for youngest winner on tour!  Or any of the other top players on the World Amateur Golf Ranking who are 21 and under....

Already this year has witnessed wins by Jessica Korda, Mi Hyang Lee, Charley Hull, Ayaka Watanabe, Lexi Thompson, Lydia Ko, Phoebe Yao, Kyu Jung Baek, Misuzu Narita, and Sei Young Kim.  Wonder who'll be next?

So here's my updated ranking of the top 22 female professionals under 22 years of age.  I note wins and majors on the top women's professional  tours, along with Rolex Rankings and Golfweek/Sagarin Performance Index ratings and ranks.

Simply the Best

1. Lydia Ko (3 LPGA, 1 KLPGA, 1 LET; 9.40 RR [#3]; 69.18 GSPI [#2])
2. Lexi Thompson (4 LPGA [1 major], 1 LET; 6.88 RR [#6]; 70.21 GSPI [#14])
3. Ha Na Jang (5 KLPGA; 3.50 RR [#18]; 70.05 GSPI [n.r.])

The Next Best

4. Jessica Korda (2 LPGA; 2.83 RR [#26]; 70.27 GSPI [#21])
5. Hyo Joo Kim (1 JLPGA, 2 KLPGA; 2.86 RR [#25]; 69.27 GSPI [n.r.])
6. Sei Young Kim (4 KLPGA; 2.50 RR [#34]; 72.57 GSPI [n.r.])
7. Misuzu Narita (3 JLPGA [1 major]; 1.39 RR [#75]; 71.34 GSPI [#50])
8. Ariya Jutanugarn (1 LET; 2.34 RR [#37]; 71.57 GSPI [n.r.])
9. Mamiko Higa (2 JLPGA; 1.87 RR [#48]; 71.20 GSPI [#46])
10. In Gee Chun (1 KLPGA; 1.81 RR [#51]; 69.76 GSPI [n.r.])
11. Charley Hull (1 LET; 2.11 [#43]; 71.85 GSPI [#77])

Rising Stars

12. Harukyo Nomura (1 JLPGA; 1.10 RR [#92]; 71.65 GSPI [#62])
13. Ayaka Watanabe (1 JLPGA; 1.41 RR [#73]; 71.79 GSPI [#72])
14. Kyu Jung Baek (1 KLPGA; 1.02 RR [#106]; 71.96 GSPI [n.r.])
15. Natsuka Hori (2 JLPGA; .88 RR [#121]; 73.03 GSPI [#130])
16. Mi Hyang Lee (1 LET; 1.17 RR [#86]; 71.73 GSPI [#67])
17. Phoebe Yao (1 JLPGA; n.r. RR; 71.67 GSPI [#63])

Quantum Leap Candidates

18. Jenny Shin (2.16 RR [#39]; 70.71 GSPI [#22])
19. Moriya Jutanugarn (1.06 RR [#97]; 73.06 GSPI [#135])
20. Danielle Kang (.86 RR [#125]; 72.45 GSPI [#101])

Dark Horses

21. Xiyu Lin (.65 RR [#170]; 73.78 GSPI [#190])
22. Rebecca Lee-Bentham (.44 RR [#216]; 74.43 GSPI [#247]

So who do you think should be on this list? What do you think of my ranking?

No comments: