 Sorenstam has secured 66 career wins, including nine majors |
Annika Sorenstam has been officially declared as the world's leading women's golfer following the publication of the first-ever world rankings. The Swede, with 21 tour wins and three majors over the last two years, has a massive lead over Paula Creamer while 16-year-old Michelle Wie is in third.
The leading British player is Scotland's Catriona Matthew in 19th.
The rankings list will be published weekly and will be used as the criteria for getting into certain tournaments.
Like the men's world rankings, the list measures performances over the last two years, with greater emphasis being placed on the most recent 13 weeks.
Points are awarded based on the strength of field, then divided by the number of tournaments.
However, the women's rankings differ in the fact that amateurs as well as professionals can appear in the list, while the minimum number of tournaments is 15 - the men's minimum is 40.
"It has always been difficult to determine the best women golfers in the world," said Ladies Golf Union chief executive Andy Salmon. "Now, for the first time, this will be possible
Women's World Rankings, 21 February:
1 Annika Sorenstam Swe 18.47 average points
2 Paula Creamer US 9.65
3 Michelle Wie US 9.24
4 Yuri Fudoh Jpn 7.37
5 Cristie Kerr US 6.94
6 Ai Miyazato Jpn 6.58
7 Lorena Ochoa Mex 6.10
8 Jang Jeong SKor 4.91
9 Han Hee-won SKor 4.49
10 Juli Inkster US 4.11
Leading British players:
19 Catriona Matthew Sco 3.38
33 Karen Stupples Eng 2.71
47 Laura Davies 2.23.
MMIX
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If Michelle Wie hadn't been around they'd have ranked from a much higher number of tournaments