Lydia Ko’s No. 1 ranking at stake at Westchester after 1st missed cut as a pro

Lydia Ko’s first major title will have to wait, as the 18-year-old world No. 1’s first missed cut in 54 LPGA Tour starts, Friday at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, could also end another streak — her run of 19 weeks as the top-ranked woman golfer.

A penalty shot the 18-year-old called on herself during Thursday’s opening round of the major tilt at Westchester Country Club loomed large for Ko. She failed to make it to the weekend for the first tine since before she turned professional by one shot when she carded a 3-over 76 on day two. The dropped stroke occurred when her ball moved at address on the 13th green.

Doing their best to move into the spot atop the Rolex rankings are Nos. 2 and 3, Inbee Park and Stacy Lewis. Two-time defending champion Park headed into Saturday tied for second with Hall of Famer Karrie Webb at 7-under, one shot off 36-hole frontrunner Sei Young Kim’s pace, while Lewis was T7, three shots out.

The scenarios by which Ko would lose the No. 1 position are if Park finishes no lower than 29th place or Lewis wins and Park ends up in a three-way tied for third or lower or worse than a six-way tie for second, according to Randall Mell.

It was the incoming nine holes that were Ko’s undoing on Friday. Consecutive bogeys following a double-bogey on her 11th hole contributed to a 4-over 40.

“I just made a double and just couldn’t get anything turned around,” Ko said. “I tried to finish strong, I made two good putts the last two holes. It was already kind of too late.”

The majors have not been Ko’s strong suit in 2015, and her game has not been as crisp since her victory at the Swinging Skirts Classic in April. Before Friday at Westchester, she carded a T51 at the ANA Inspiration, the first major of the season, also in April, and came into the KPMG Women’s PGA after a T27 at last week’s Manulife LPGA Classic.

Park is going for the three-peat at the event in addition to trying to reclaim the No. 1 post she lost to Ko 19 weeks ago.

“I’ve been playing really good golf in the major championships and it’s all good to see my game come around in major championships like this,” said Park, who fired a flawless 68 and owns five major trophies. “It’s a really great test for the game. I think I feel quite confident playing on a tough course.”

For Lewis, a victory at the tournament she helped design with her sponsor, KPMG, and the PGA of America, would be especially satisfying.

“I have not played my best golf yet,” said Lewis after posting a 71 that included a double-bogey on the par-4 second hole. “I’m just a couple back of the lead and I feel like I have some even better golf in me. I really like where I am right now.”