Nelly Korda Moves Back To World No.1 After Chevron Championship
The American is at the top of the world rankings for the fourth time, with Lydia Ko making way


Nelly Korda didn’t do quite enough to claim her second Major win in the Chevron Championship, and eventually had to settle for third behind Lilia Vu and Angel Yin at Carlton Woods. However, she does have something to celebrate - her return to the World No.1 position for the first time since November.
After relinquishing her place at the top to New Zealander Lydia Ko back then, the American has never seemed far away from a return and has only failed to finish in the top 10 in one of her six tournaments so far in 2023.
Following her latest impressive performance, Korda explained she was delighted to reclaim the top spot. She said: “Yeah, I mean, amazing. It would have been obviously very nice to win the Major, as well, but I think being World No.1 is very rewarding. All my hard work has paid off, and hopefully continue building, but the No. 1 ranking keeps bouncing back and forth, back and forth.
“That is something actually I don't really tend to focus on too much. I tend to focus on what's right in front of me, being present this week, this Major, but I think the rankings at the end of the day tell you the consistent play you're playing.”
A post shared by Golf Monthly (@golfmonthly)
A photo posted by on
Ko has endured a more inconsistent run since her victory in the CME Group Tour Championship that saw her knock Korda off the top spot. After beginning the year with victory in the LET’s Aramco Saudi Ladies International, she has had two top 10 finishes on the LPGA Tour.
However, she also failed to impress in either the HSBC Women’s World Championship or the DIO Implant LA Open, where she finished with ties for 31st and 34th, respectively. It got even worse for Ko in the first Major of the year, as she missed the cut. The fact Ko has now fallen behind Korda in the rankings will be doubly hard to take as confirmation came on her 26th birthday.
As for Korda, she moves to the summit for the fourth time in her career, and will be hoping to hold onto the position for longer than the previous spell, which lasted just two weeks after taking over from Atthaya Thitikul in mid-November following her win in the Pelican Women's Championship.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
Vu will also be looking at the world ranking with some satisfaction following her maiden Major win. The American is now up to World No.4 from last week’s World No.8. That career high position is thanks to a string of strong performances since the turn of the year. After beginning 2023 as World No.43, Vu had three top 10 finishes leading up to the Chevron Championship, including victory in February’s Honda LPGA Thailand.
Mike has over 25 years of experience in journalism, including writing on a range of sports throughout that time, such as golf, football and cricket. Now a freelance staff writer for Golf Monthly, he is dedicated to covering the game's most newsworthy stories.
He has written hundreds of articles on the game, from features offering insights into how members of the public can play some of the world's most revered courses, to breaking news stories affecting everything from the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to developmental Tours and the amateur game.
Mike grew up in East Yorkshire and began his career in journalism in 1997. He then moved to London in 2003 as his career flourished, and nowadays resides in New Brunswick, Canada, where he and his wife raise their young family less than a mile from his local course.
Kevin Cook’s acclaimed 2007 biography, Tommy’s Honour, about golf’s founding father and son, remains one of his all-time favourite sports books.
-
Tony Finau Misses 3-Inch Putt In Costly Houston Open Gaffe
The six-time PGA Tour winner had a nightmare moment on the 15th during the third round at Memorial Park Golf Course
By Mike Hall Published
-
T-Mobile Match Play Prize Money Payout 2025
Nelly Korda defends her title as a field of 64 competes for an eye-catching purse at Nevada’s Shadow Creek Golf Club
By Mike Hall Published
-
T-Mobile Match Play Prize Money Payout 2025
Nelly Korda defends her title as a field of 64 competes for an eye-catching purse at Nevada’s Shadow Creek Golf Club
By Mike Hall Published
-
'I Left Actually A Good Four Shots Out There' - Charley Hull Shoots Career Best LPGA Round But Had A 59 On Her Mind
Charley Hull felt a 59 was on the cards as she shot a career-best 63 at the Ford Championship, but came off the course feeling she'd left at least four shots out there
By Paul Higham Published
-
Charley Hull Makes Driver Change Ahead Of Ford Championship 63
The World No.10 moved into the new TaylorMade Qi35 LS ahead of this week's Ford Championship in Arizona, where she got off to a fast start
By Elliott Heath Published
-
Champions Retreat Golf Club: ANWA Course Designed By Golf's 'Big Three' Legends
Take a closer look at Champions Retreat GC, just 15 miles from Augusta National with a unique design by golfing legends Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Arnold Palmer
By Paul Higham Published
-
How To Qualify For The Augusta National Women’s Amateur
The Augusta National Women's Amateur is one of the jewels of the women's game, but how do players qualify?
By Paul Higham Published
-
Ford Championship Prize Money Payout 2025
It's the second Ford Championship this week on the LPGA Tour, where there's a $2.25m prize pot up for grabs
By Elliott Heath Published
-
'Shocked' Mimi Rhodes Claims First LET Victory In Fourth Start After Helpful Swing Change
A winner of the 2023 NCAA D1 Women's Golf Championship and the 2024 Curtis Cup claimed her second pro success at the Women's NSW Open on Sunday
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Report: Tour Player Features In Three LPGA Events Despite Not Being Qualified As Circuit Takes Action
One of the affected events was the HSBC Women's World Championship
By Mike Hall Published