How are our 10 players to watch for 2019 getting on so far this year? we check up on them.
At the beginning of every year I have a look at 10 players that i think will perform well. They could be in the worlds top 10 or players less obscure from around the world of golf. Below we look at how "our 10 to watch for 2019" are doing at the half way stage of the year. Have a look at our magazine here to see why we selected theses 10 players.
1. Jin Young Ko (South Korea)
World Ranking end of 2018: 10th
Current World Ranking: 1st (up 9)
Jin Young Ko claimed her first ever major winning the ANA Inspiration in fine style. She started the year explosively and has carried on that standard all year which has seen her rise to become the best golfer in the world. Ko also won the Bank of Hope Founders Cup earlier in the year. she has had 6 top 10 finishes from her 10 starts this year and currently leads the CME Race to the Globe (RttG).
2. Jeongeun Lee6 (South Korea)
World Ranking end of 2018: 20th
Current World Ranking: 5th (up 15)
What a start to her rookie year for 6. She has just won the US Open to claim her first title! and a major at that. The following week she lost by 1 shot to Lexi at the Shoprite Championship, her 2nd runner up spot of the year. She is currently 3rd on the RttG in her debut season. To get there she has had 5 top 10's from her 10 starts. She also finished 4th in a KLPGA event earlier in the year.
3. Nasa Hataoka (Japan)
World Ranking end of 2018: 7th
Current World Ranking: 7th
Nasa won the KIA Championship in March her 3rd career victory. She was runner up at the Puresilk Cchampionship as well. Nasa has struggled a bit in the majors this year missing the cut at the US Open and finishing 39th at the ANA Inspiration. Currently 15th on the RttG with 2 top 10's this year.
4. Bronte Law (England)
World Ranking end of 2018: 63rd
Current World Ranking: 23rd (up 40)
Bronte claimed her first LPGA victory by winning the Puresilk Championship. She was also the runner up the week before at the MEDIHEAL Championship. However, in both majors she has missed the cut. Currently 8th on the RttG and nearly into the worlds top 20.
5. Leona Maguire (Ireland)
World Ranking end of 2018: 382nd
Current World Ranking: 176th (up 206)
Leona has already had 2 wins this year both coming on the Symetra Tour. She has 4 top 10's so far on both the LET & Symetra Tour including a runner up spot. Currently 31st on the LET Order of Merit and leading on the Symetra Tour Race to the Card which could guarantee her place on the LPGA next year.
6. Kristen Gilman (USA)
World Ranking end of 2018: 196th
Current World Ranking: 75th (up 121)
Kristen is playing as a professional for the first year this year. She has had 1 top 10 finishing 6th at the ANA Inspiration. She is currently 2nd in the rookie of the year and 36th on the RttG.
She has jumped in the world rankings and a few good performances could see her move into the worlds top 50.
7. Laura Fuenfstueck (Germany)
World Ranking end of 2018: 541st
Current World Ranking: 365th (up 176)
Laura is building on her rookie season this year, she has had 2 top 10s in her 9 LET starts with a best of 4th at Lalla Meryem Cup. She just played in golf 6s on European Tour where she was unlucky not to make the knockout stages. Currently 9th on LET Order of Merit
8. Arpichaya Yubol (Thailand)
World Ranking end of 2018: 696th
Current World Ranking: 405th (up 291)
Still only 17 years old and spending a great deal of time at school, Yubol as risen the world rankings this year. She has had one victory so far on the Thai LPGA along with 3 top 20's. She is currently 4th on the Order of Merit which she won last year after winning 5 times in a row!
9. Julia Engstrom (Sweden)
World Ranking end of 2018: 336th
Current World Ranking: 314th (up 22)
Julia has had 1 top 10 so far this season finishing 7th at the South African Open. She has only missed 2 cuts but has not been able to push on near the top of the leaderboard quite as much as last year. Still a teenager she is currently 41st on the Order of Merit
10. Klara Spilkova (Czech Republic)
World Ranking end of 2018: 268th
Current World Ranking: 299th (down 31)
Klara came into this year full of confidence after finishing top of the LPGA qualifying at the end of last year. So far she has not quite found that form. She has had a best finish of 32nd at the LOTTE Championship and has missed 6 cuts this year and last week summed up her season so far. She was -3 after round 1 and in the top 10 before a 2nd round of +6 meaning another missed cut. She still has time to adjust to life on the tour and could still secure her card for next year. Currently 119th on RttG and 15th in the rookie race.