Ma Seoyoung Claims First Career Win, Rises from No. 338 to No. 186 in World Rankings

Iceberg Golf Open winner rises 152 places
Korda, Thitikul and Yoo Haeran remain in the top three
Yin Ruoning fifth, Kim Hyojoo sixth, Choi Hyejin 23rd

Ma Seoyoung has risen to No. 186 in the world rankings.

In the women's golf world rankings released on Oct. 20 (Korea time), Ma earned an average of 0.7 points, jumping 152 places from No. 338 last week. She earned ranking points by claiming her first career victory at last week's Iceberg Golf-Seoul Newspaper Open on the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour.

Ma defeated Sung Yu-jin in a close contest that went to a second playoff hole to lift the trophy and collect 270 million won in prize money. Before the tournament, she was 56th on the season money list and concerned about retaining her playing privileges for next year, but the win secured her eligibility through the 2028 season.

Ma Seoyoung smiles while holding the trophy after winning the Iceberg Golf and Seoul Newspaper Open. Provided by the KLPGA.

Ma won after making 83 starts on the regular tour. "I hope I can give hope to players who think they don't have a talent for golf," she said. "There are two tournaments left this season, and I want to enjoy playing and win once more."

There was no change among the top-ranked players. Nelly Korda (United States), Jeeno Thitikul (Thailand), Yoo Hae-ran and Miyu Yamashita (Japan) held on to the top four spots. Yin Ruoning (China), who won last week's Buick LPGA Shanghai on the LPGA Tour, rose to fifth, pushing Kim Hyo-joo down to sixth.

Among South Korean players, Kim Sei-young ranked ninth, Kim Min-sol 15th and Yoon Ina 16th. Choi Hye-jin, runner-up at the Buick LPGA Shanghai, climbed four spots to No. 23 in the world rankings.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.