Charley Hull: Englishwoman makes history by moving to career-high world No 3 with latest Ladies European Tour victory

Charley Hull has moved to world No 3 in the latest Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings – the highest-ever position by an Englishwoman in the rankings’ 20-year history.

Hull won the Ladies European Tour's season-opening PIF Saudi Ladies International on Saturday, where a final-round 65 gave her a one-shot victory over Akie Iwai and Casandra Alexander.

A fifth Ladies European Tour title follows her winning the Kroger Queen City Championship on the LPGA Tour in September, with her latest success also seeing her reach a career-high world ranking.

• Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW ?
• Get BREAKING NEWS notifications to your phone! ?

Hull moved up from fifth to third in the latest Rolex Women's World Golf Ranking standings, released on Monday, climbing above KPMG Women's PGA Championship winner Minjee Lee and AIG Women's Open champion Miyu Yamashita in the standings.

Only Jeeno Thitikul and Nelly Korda now have higher world ranking than Hull, who will have opportunities over the coming months to push closer towards becoming England's first female world No 1.

"I worked really hard this off-season, so it's nice to get a result pretty much straight away and it's one of the bigger events on the LET," Hull said after winning in Riyadh on Saturday.

The 29-year-old is one of two Englishwoman inside the world's top 10, with Lottie Woad - who enjoyed a breakthrough maiden season in 2025 after turning professional - currently sitting world No 8.

Hull has finished no worse than tied-21st since early June, finishing runner-up at the AIG Women's Open last summer and adding three further worldwide top-fives during the second half of 2025.

How mashed potatoes helped Hull to Saudi victory

Hull was three shots of the 54-hole lead in Riyadh and in a share of 11th place but charged up the leaderboard on the final day, carding an eagle, seven birdies and two bogeys during an eventful round.

A birdie-eagle-birdie run from the 11th was followed by two more birdies over her final four holes to set the clubhouse target and win in Riyadh for a second time, having won the 2024 Aramco Team Series event in the same city.

"After nine holes I ran into the toilet and also got some mashed potatoes, so I don't know if that gave me a bit of power for the back nine," Hull added.

"My house renovation is pretty much done, so I needed that win! I'm looking forward to getting settled into my house in a couple of weeks when it's all done and celebrate my birthday."

Watch the LET and LPGA Tours, majors and more throughout the season live on Sky Sports Golf. Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW.

(c) Sky Sports 2026: Charley Hull: Englishwoman makes history by moving to career-high world No 3 with latest Ladies European Tour victory