Ko in danger of losing number one ranking

Lydia Ko. Photo / AP

Lydia Ko will be out to defend her No 1 world ranking on her return to the fairways this week.

The 18-year-old Kiwi will tee it up at the Manulife LPGA Classic in Canada with Inbee Park closing in on the top billing after the Korean finished in a share of fifth at the Shoprite LPGA Classic in New Jersey last weekend.

Park's top-five effort saw her move to 10.73 ranking points, while Ko, who didn't play in New Jersey, has 10.89 points.

Park is a former world No 1 but Ko has held the top spot for 18 weeks and the pair have a comfortable lead over the third-placed Stacy Lewis (9.54), while there's an even bigger drop to Hyo-Joo Kim (6.32) who is in fourth.

Sweden's Anna Nordqvist was the big mover in the rankings this week as she jumped to seventh with 5.45 points following her victory at the Shoprite LPGA Classic.

Park is the defending champion at the Manulife LPGA Classic that will take place in Ontario but Ko will be well-rested after having a break last week.

After the Canadian event, the focus will turn to Ko's search for an elusive first major title when the tour heads to New York for the Women's PGA Championship, which is the second major of the year.

Despite all of Ko's accolades, she is yet to win a major crown. She finished in a share of 51st at the ANA Inspiration, the first major of the year, in California in April.