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American Stacy Lewis won the RR Donnelly LPGA Founders Cup in Phoenix, Arizona, to become Rolex Rankings No. 1.
Lewis (@Stacy_Lewis) took over as No. 1 crowning a new player atop the standings for the first-time in 109 weeks. Lewis made all this possible by a four-win season in 2012 and a 2013 year that has already included two wins in her first four events.
Lewis becomes only the seventh player to hold the coveted top spot in the Rolex Rankings alongside Yani Tseng, Annika Sorenstam, Lorena Ochoa, Jiyai Shin, Ai Miyazato and Cristie Kerr. Despite always having the goal of holding the No. 1 ranking, Lewis admitted to being surprised of her rapid climb to the top.
“It’s crazy,” said Lewis with a smile that could light-up a room. “That was my goal kind of since the middle of last year and I really didn’t think it would be possible this quick. We’ve only played four tournaments this year and it’s just crazy.”
The number one ranking is even more surreal for Lewis who nearly 10 years ago was undergoing surgery to correct scoliosis. The always optimistic Lewis understands now more than ever that everything happens for a reason.
“Yeah, it’s almost 10 years ago I was having surgery, I was going into surgery to put a rod and five screws in my back,” said Lewis. “That was just 10 years ago. That’s not normal, that’s not supposed to happen. I mean, I’m not ‑‑ I’m really not supposed to be here.
“People with metal in their back, how do you play golf,” she added. “I don’t know, I don’t know how, I don’t know why I’m here. I know that there’s a reason and I know that everything happens for a reason. Every setback you have along the way, everything good that happens, it all happens for a reason. I don’t know, I couldn’t have dreamed the kid growing up wearing a back brace 18 hours a day that is the No. 1 player in the world. I don’t know, I don’t know what to say.”
While the 2013 season is still young, Lewis is going to cherish her newly acquired Rolex Rankings No. 1 status for as long as it lasts.
“We have majors coming up, Solheim, and so much more to play for and I’m just excited about the rest of the year more than anything,” said Lewis. “I’m having a blast on the golf course, and to be No. 1 in the world, it’s what everybody out here on Tour is working for and to be that person is, I mean, I really don’t even know what to say.”
