The Rolex Rankings debuted less than 20 years ago on Feb. 21, 2006. For context, the men’s Official World Golf Ranking has been around since 1986.
In that time, 18 different women from nine different countries have risen to the top, giving fans from all over the world reason to celebrate.
The rankings are used to fill fields at the majors, determine teams like the Solheim Cup and International Crown and decide which top players qualify for the Olympics.
Both amateurs and professionals are eligible and the rankings are updated every Monday.
Here are 10 interesting things to note about the Rolex Rankings, which are now 18 years old:
Annika Sorenstam of Sweden holds the US Open Championship trophy aloft after the playoff of the 2006 U.S. Women’s Open on July 3, 2006 at Newport Country Club in Newport, Rhode Island. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)
It should come as no surprise that Annika Sorenstam, the greatest player of the modern era, topped the first edition of the Rolex Rankings. Sorenstam remained there for 60 weeks before being overtaken by Lorena Ochoa.
Inbee Park first rose to No. 1 on April 15, 2013. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
The rankings award points based on field strength (with the exception of the five majors, which are fixed) and a player’s performance over a rolling two-year period, with more weight placed on the most recent 13 weeks. A minimum divisor (35) is also used.
Players are ranked based on their average points per tournament, which is determined by dividing the total number of points by the number of eligible tournaments played during the 104-week period.
Jin Young Ko of South Korea tees off on the 13th hole during the Second Round of the Amundi Evian Championship at Evian Resort Golf Club on July 28, 2023 in Evian-les-Bains, France. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Jin Young Ko holds the record for the longest time at No. 1 with 163 weeks over the course of five different stretches. Lorena Ochoa was No. 1 for 158 weeks and Lydia Ko for 125.
Lydia Ko of New Zealand smiles as she walks off the ninth tee during the third round of the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club on January 20, 2024 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
Lydia Ko became the youngest player to reach No. 1 at 17 years, 9 months, 9 days on Feb. 2,…
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