Ariya Reigns No 1 in the LPGA Money Leader
By finishing third in third in the Blue Ray LPGA in China on Sunday, Ariya Jutanugarn overtook world No 1 Lydia Ko of New Zealand in the money leader list with a total gross of US$2.43 million and in the Race to CME Globe Season with 4,416 points.
Ariya shot a closing 70 for a total 11-under-par 277, two behind Australian winner Minjee Lee. Her third-place earnings of U$139,681 moved her to No. 1 on the money list ahead of Lydia Ko who has earned US$2.42 million. Ko however did not participate in the tournament.
Ariya also surged to the top of the Race to CME Globe Season as Ko slipped to No 2 with 4,300 points. Morever
she extended her lead in the Rolex Player of the Year to 13 points ahead of Ko.
Ariya, winner of five titles this year, looked poised to win her sixth tournament of the year when she made a birdie on the par-3, 17th to pull into a tie for the lead with Lee. However, an errant tee shot on the 18th hole landed the Thai in the water resulting in a bogey six. The third place in China marked her 14th top-10 of the season.
The world No 2 Ariya and Ko are both set to compete in the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia which starts at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club on Thursday.
