22 Under 22: Who's the Best in the World of Professional Women's Golf in the 21 and Under Set?

Charley Hull's amazing come-from-behind playoff victory on the LET yesterday has got me wondering who has the most promise among the world's top female professional golfers, age 21 or younger, whether on or off the LPGA.  Let's take a look at how the top 22 under 22 stack up, using such measures as wins on major professional tours and current standings on the Rolex Ranking and Golfweek/Sagarin Performance Index to get a bead on comparative achievements thus far in their fledgling careers.

Simply the Best

1. Lydia Ko (2 LPGA, 1 KLPGA, 1 LET; 7.49 RR [#4]; 69.01 GSPI [#4])
2. Lexi Thompson (3 LPGA, 1 LET; 4.48 RR [#10]; 70.56 GSPI [#26])
3. Ha Na Jang (5 KLPGA; 3.85 RR [#13]; 69.45 GSPI [n.r.])

The Next Best

4. Jessica Korda (2 LPGA; 2.83 RR [#27]; 70.27 GSPI [#21])
5. Hyo Joo Kim (1 JLPGA, 2 KLPGA; 2.56 RR [#30]; 69.92 GSPI [n.r.])
6. Ariya Jutanugarn (1 LET; 2.53 RR [#33]; 70.09 GSPI [n.r.])
7. Sei Young Kim (3 KLPGA; 2.37 RR [#36]; 67.86 GSPI [n.r.])
8. Mamiko Higa (2 JLPGA; 2.01 RR [#47]; 71.11 GSPI [#48])
9. In Gee Chun (1 KLPGA; 1.80 RR [#55]; 69.65 GSPI [n.r.])
10. Charley Hull (1 LET; 1.52 [#65]; 71.85 GSPI [#77])

Rising Stars

11. Harukyo Nomura (1 JLPGA; .89 RR [#115]; 71.70 GSPI [#72])
12. Misuzu Narita (2 JLPGA; .88 RR [#116]; 71.59 GSPI [#67])
13. Natsuka Hori (2 JLPGA; .99 RR [#102]; 72.35 GSPI [#103])
14. Mi Hyang Lee (1 LET; .82 RR [#126]; 73.01 GSPI [#135])

Quantum Leap Candidates

15. Jenny Shin (1.56 RR [#60]; 71.42 GSPI [#61])
16. Moriya Jutanugarn (1.20 RR [#81]; 72.23 GSPI [#98])
17. Danielle Kang (1.04 RR [#94]; 72.77 GSPI [#125])
18. Ayaka Watanabe (.94 RR [#108]; 72.55 GSPI [#113])
19. Kyu Jung Baek (.56 RR [#181]; 71.95 GSPI [n.r.])

Dark Horses

20. Xiyu Lin (.61 RR [#164]; 73.89 GSPI [#199])
21. Rebecca Lee-Bentham (.53 RR [#190]; 73.55 [#178]
22. Phoebe Yao (n.r. RR; 71.98 GSPI [#87])

[Update 1 (4/27/14, 5:36 am):  Interesting that Lexi Thompson, Ayaka Watanabe, Kyu Jung Baek, and Phoebe Yao have joined Jessica Korda and Mi Hyang Lee in the winner's circle already in 2014!  Looks like I'll need to reassess this ranking soon!]