“PRO” File – Touring Professional Jin Young Ko

The pipeline from Korea to the LPGA Tour keeps growing all the more impressive with the addition of Jin Young Ko. Ko is currently the #1-ranked player in the world with a sizeable points lead over the second-ranked player, Sung Hyun Park, herself a formidable player.

Ko first made waves by finishing second at the Women’s British Open in 2015, and wound up being a 10-time winner on the LPGA of Korea Tour. Her rookie year on the LPGA Tour came in 2018, already a seasoned veteran. She actually won an LPGA event in 2017 prior to becoming a member. In 2018, she scored 13 top-10 finishes and was named Rookie of the Year. Ko picked up right where she left off in 2019, earning four victories (as of this writing), including two major championships.

Her ascendancy to #1 was meteoric once she reached the LPGA Tour, but it was built upon years of fine play in Korea. Ko is sure to become a household name like the other Ko on tour, Lydia, but with perhaps more staying power. Time will tell.