Female golfers to watch in 2016

2015 was an excellent year for female golfers, with a number of different up-and-comers making a name for themselves when it came to rankings and reputations during last year’s season. As we move into 2016, many different golfing publications are stating this year as having the potential to shake up the status quo in women’s golf.

Pro Golf Now are already anticipating an intense battle for the top of the Rolex Rankings between Lydia Ko and Inbee Park, who have already shown themselves to be some of the finest female golfers of their generation. However, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on the rest of the table too, with the potential for this two-horse race to change direction very quickly.

Elizabeth Bethel wrote in Pro Golf Now: “ At every level of performance and without exception, those of us who play the game of golf lose more rounds than we win. Additionally, a round can turn from good to bad on a single shot gone astray that then sets up a catastrophic cascade of disasters.”

It is this variation in play that makes the game so interesting, and why it means that we could easily see a shake up in the rankings over the coming year. The magazine highlighted some of their players to watch in the world of women’s golf during 2016, from current third placer Stacey Lewis, trailing Ko by almost 150 points, to some newcomers starting out on their careers - set to be fixtures in LPGA and LET events during the year to come.

Gabby Lopez, mentored by Stacy Lewis and Lorena Ochoa, is coming into her rookie year on the LPGA tour, with many hailing her as a great player who understands how to play the game one shot at a time. Gee Chun, who earned her place on the 2016 LPGA card following a surprise win at the 2015 US Women’s Open, is another favourite for the year, with people predicting a number of wins in her future. Youngster Brooke Henderson, who is one of only three female golfers to win a pro event before their 18th birthday, is another one to watch in 2016, currently ranked 18th in the Rolex Rankings.

One thing’s for sure, the talent in the world of women’s golf is excellent this year. It’s an exciting time to be a golf fan!