LPGA, Ladies European TourBrian KeoghAugust 04, 2017Ricoh Women's British Open, So-yeon Ryu, Lexi Thompson, Ariya Jutanugarn, Sung-hyun Park, Lydia Ko

The Current Top Female Pro Golf Stars

LPGA, Ladies European TourBrian KeoghAugust 04, 2017Ricoh Women's British Open, So-yeon Ryu, Lexi Thompson, Ariya Jutanugarn, Sung-hyun Park, Lydia Ko

This clubhouse at Kingsbarns, Picture: S.Möller - Selbst fotografiertes Bild — This clubhouse at Kingsbarns, Picture: S.Möller - Selbst fotografiertes Bild

Ahead of this week’s Ricoh Women's British Open, let’s have a look at the current female golf stars currently ranked as per the official Rolex rankings. We’ll take a look at their location of birth, major achievements to date and their betting odds from Betfair’s exchange for the upcoming British Open tournament.

Here is a look at those top five:

5) LYDIA KO (35/1)

A Korean-born New Zealand professional golfer who is still only 20 years of age. Lydia Ko is a former world number 1 and became the youngest player to do so as a 17-year-old. She was previously a top-ranked amateur and is the first LPGA player to win over $2 million in her first three seasons. Lydia Ko has amassed career earnings of over $7 million. Considering she is still young a huge future beckons.

4) SUNG-HYUN PARK (12/1)

This South Korean golfer is only 23 years old and is the current U.S. Women’s Open champion. Living in Florida, USA, Sung-hyun Park is currently the world number 4. Winner of the 2016 LPGA of Korea tour money list and of 10 different Korea tour events, Park is one of the favourites to win this year’s British Open.

3) ARIYA JUTANUGARN (40/1)

A Thai professional golfer who is the current world number 3 and a former world number 1. Ariya Jutanugarn became the youngest player to qualify for an LPGA tour event at just 11 years of age. 10 years later and she has already had a highly successful playing career with the promise of a bright future ahead. Jutanugarn is the current British Open title holder and has seven professional wins to date.

2) LEXI THOMPSON (10/1)

At just 22 Lexi Thompson is another very successful and promising golfer. The American is currently the world number 2 and is the favourite to win this year’s British Open with Betfair. Thompson holds the record as the youngest-ever winner of an LPGA tournament at just 16 years of age. Winner of the ANA inspiration tournament in 2014 and of 11 professional career wins to date, Thompson is expected to be one of the main challengers for the 2017 British Open.

1) SO-YEON RYU (11/1)

The third South Korean-born golfer currently in the top 5 rankings, So-yeon Ryu is 27 years of age and the current world number 1. Ryu is a two-time major winner having won this year’s ANA Inspiration tournament and the 2011 U.S Women’s Open. Having turned professional at the age of 17, and with a staggering 18 professional tournament wins, she is clearly one of the standout players on the tour. So-yeon Ryu is the favourite for the tournament in some people’s eyes and will be expected to challenge for this year’s title.

Brian Keogh