Ariya back up to No.2 in rankings
Ariya Jutanugarn has regained the second spot in the world rankings.
The 21-year-old Thai overtook South Korea’s Ryu So-Yeon who dropped to third, according to the latest rankings published on Monday.
Ariya moved up after losing to Kim Sei-Young, another South Korean, in the Mexico Match Play final on Sunday.
Top-ranked Lydia Ko of New Zealand was eliminated in the last-16 round in Mexico City while Ryu did not play in the event.
Ariya, who won five titles last year, has 8.52 points, just 0.31 behind Ko, while Ryu has 8.51.
The Thai has not yet won a title this year but has had three runner-up finishes.
Ariya, the 2016 LPGA player of the year, has had a couple of chances to dethrone Ko this season but her bid for the top spot has not yet been successful.
However, Ryu, who wrestled the No.2 rank from Ariya after winning the ANA Inspiration last month, could also become the No.1 player in the near future.
With a new coach and a new set of clubs, Ko, 20, has struggled this season.
Last year, the Kiwi won the ANA Inspiration and Olympic silver medal. However, she has suffered a slump in form since the Rio Games.
Meanwhile, retired Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo’s bid to reach the US Open ended at a local qualifier on Monday in Aledo, Texas.
Romo shot a three-over-par 75 at Split Rail Links & Golf Club and was not one of the seven qualifiers who finished twounder or better to advance to the sectional from a field of 115 hopefuls.
Romo was one-over after an eagle at the 14th hole but dunked his tee shot on the next in the water and took a triple bogey that ended his chances.
Three bogeys on the front nine left him three-over at the turn. Romo followed with a birdie at No.10 but bogeyed No.11.
He closed the round by making a six-foot birdie putt on No.18, but it was too little too late.
The Texas Golf Association estimated a gallery of about 200 turned out to watch the local favourite, who played quarterback for 12 NFL seasons and passed for 34,183 yards and 248 touchdowns.
Romo also tried to qualify for the US Open in 2008, 2010 and 2011.
In 2010, he made it to sectional qualifying but had to withdraw in order to participate in organised team activities with the Cowboys.
The 2017 US Open will be played June 15-18 at Erin Hills in Erin, Wisconsin.