Stacy Lewis Steps to World’s Top Ranking - LPGA Tour -Stacy Lewis ought to be a household name by now, but her lower profile could prove a blessing if it prevents her from being overwhelmed by the expectations that come with the world’s top ranking. As a teenager, Stacy Lewis spent 18 hours a day wearing a back brace to cope with scoliosis. That was hard.
While in college, Lewis had an operation on her back and could not play golf for a year. That was harder.
Her hardest challenge may be ahead of her. On Monday, a day after winning her seventh LPGA Tour title, Lewis became the seventh woman to ascend to No. 1 in the world rankings. Cristie Kerr, in 2010, is the only other woman from the United States to achieve the feat.
With her victory in the LPGA Founders Cup, Lewis ended the 109-week reign of Yani Tseng, who sounded relieved to relinquish her crown.
“I’m happy for Stacy,” Tseng said. “It’s good for American golf.”
She added: “I think maybe going back to No. 2 is good for me. I’ve been there before. I know how to get to No. 1.”
Tseng is the game’s biggest name in her native Taiwan, and the stresses of being the face of golf there wore on her. She has spoken of not enjoying golf as much as she used to, of feeling burdened by expectations, starting with her own.
Ai Miyazato of Japan, who finished second to Lewis at the Founders Cup after taking a four-stroke lead into the final round, was one of three players who occupied the No. 1 spot between Lorena Ochoa and Tseng.
“Being the No. 1 is definitely a lot of pressure, like more than any,” Miyazato said.
She added: “When I was No. 1, it was just, I never had an experience like that before. It was just a lot of pressure every day, and it feels like I have to play good every day.”
Stacy Lewis Steps to World’s Top Ranking - LPGA Tour
