The Rolex Rankings launched in February 2006 with the greatest player in the modern era, Annika Sorenstam, occupying the top spot. Sorenstam remained No. 1 for 60 weeks before Lorena Ochoa overtook her. There wasn’t much turnover in those early days, with Ochoa maintaining her position – as Sorenstam retired in 2008 – for 158 weeks.
The initial top 10 when the rankings debuted included: 1. Annika Sorenstam, 2. Paula Creamer, 3. Michelle Wie West, 4. Yuri Fudoh, 5. Cristie Kerr, 6. Ai Miyazato, 7. Lorena Ochoa, 8. Jeong Jang, 9. Het-Won Han, 10. Juli Inkster.
Since Ochoa left the game in the spring of 2010, however, there have been 13 different players rise to No. 1. Five South Korean players have spent a combined 276 weeks atop the rankings. In all, players from nine different countries have been No. 1, with current No. 1 Nelly Korda becoming the third American in June 2021.
Four players who reached No. 1 in the past 15 years have since retired.
Here’s a complete list of players who have ascended to the top: