Women’s golf has a new No. 1 in Ai Miyazato; Japanese star has won 4 LPGA events this year

Japan’s Ai Miyazato is new No. 1 in women’s golf

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Women’s golf has a new No. 1 player in Ai Miyazato of Japan.

Miyazato (Me-uh-ZAH-tow) leads the latest Rolex Rankings released Monday following her victory at the ShopRite LPGA Classic in Galloway Township, N.J.

Miyazato has won four LPGA events this year and this is the first time she is ranked No. 1. She replaces Jiyai Shin of South Korea, who became No. 1 on May 3 following the retirement of longtime top-ranked player Lorena Ochoa.

In Sunday’s final round of the ShopRite LPGA Classic, Miyazato shot a 7-under 64 to beat M.J. Hur of South Korea by two strokes.

Miyazato’s first LPGA victory was only a year ago at the Evian Masters in France.