Kiwi golfer Lydia Ko has returned to No.1 in the world rankings after a phenomenal year in the LPGA Tour.
It is the first time since 2017 that Ko has headed the rankings, topping off a stellar season that included three Tour wins and nine additional top-five finishes.
The 25-year-old won the last event of the year – the CME Group Tour Championship in Florida – one week ago, boosting her status back to number one in the world.
Ko’s incredible results in 2022 mark her first multiple-win year since 2016 and it becomes the third time she has taken the reigns atop her competitors.
Having returned to World No.1 five years, five months and 17 days after last holding the position, Ko says she wasn’t sure she would ever make it back.
“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,” Ko said, per Stuff.
"This wouldn't have been possible without my family and team, thank you for your belief and love."
Ko’s latest win saw her claim the largest cheque in women’s golf history at NZ$3.25 million as well as Player of the Year honours for her achievements on the green.
The honours don’t stop there though, with Ko also edging the LPGA Hall of Fame – just two points shy of becoming an inductee.