By: Max Bechtoldt
Today on the Olympic Power Ranking, we get closer to the top with some exciting new stars in the women’s game, along with one of the big modern names in women’s golf. Read ahead to learn about some of the strongest contenders to reach the medal stand in Paris:
13. Linn Grant – Sweden – Linn Grant has arguably as much talent as anyone in the field in Paris. Her ball-striking is as good as it gets and when she gets rolling she is unstoppable. Her game feels a bit reminiscent of a new Sei Young Kim. The ASU alum from Sweden has a similar career to her countrywoman Maja Stark, whom we met earlier today. She also has six LET wins, including one this year, and one LPGA Tour win. Her season didn’t start as well as I expected it to, but her recent game has been encouraging. Grant got that win in Europe and finished third a couple of weeks ago at the Dana Open.
12. Miyu Yamashita – Japan – The only player in these power rankings who isn’t an LPGA Tour player, but don’t be fooled, she is one of the names to circle in Paris. Yamashita is consistently in winning position on the JLPGA, which is the second best tour in the world. Yamashita is ranked No. 19 in the Rolex Rankings, and somehow has nine top-five finishes on the JLPGA this season already. When she’s played against the best of the LPGA? She’s been pretty good then as well. In the four majors this season she’s finished top 20 in three of them, including a runner-up finish at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.
11. Charley Hull – Great Britain – Charley Hull can finish high in events as well as anybody. The proof is pretty clear based of 2023, where she had five runner-up finishes, including in two of the majors. Hull was so close to having a Lilia Vu type season. Hull has just two career wins on the LPGA Tour and three on the LET, but don’t let that fool you, she’s played about as well as anyone in recent seasons. She hasn’t played a ton this season, which is why her CME number is lower than you would expect, but she does have six top-20 finishes with three top 10s.
