Thai phenom Atthaya Thitikul thinks she still has a lot to learn despite reaching No. 1 in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings this week.

“It is very special to get to the top but it is much harder to retain it. I still have a lot to learn from all the legends and current players both on and off the course.

"I will continue to work hard for my family, my team, my fans and my country."," said Thitikul, whose sixth place finish in the BMW Championship in Korea on Sunday proved enough for her to supplant Jin Young Ko as World No 1.

The 19-year-old becomes the 16th player and seciond from Thailand follwing Ariya Jutanugarn to reach No. 1. Thitikul is also the second player to reach the top spot in her LPGA Tour rookie year, after Sung Hyun Park in November 2017.

Additionally Thitikul is only the second player under 20 to reach No. 1 at 19 years, 8 months and 11 days, joining Lydia Ko. Ko was 17 years, 9 months and 9 days when she first reached No. 1 in February 2015. and 18 years, 6 months and 2 days the second time she ascended to the top in October 2015.

Thitikul has two victories so far in 2022, becoming a Rolex First-Time Winner at the JTBC Classic presented by Barbasol and adding another win at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G. She has also recorded 12 additional top-10 finishes this season, including three at Majors.

The Thai talent currently leads the LPGA's Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year standings with 1,487 points, is third in scoring average on tour (69.432) and fourth in the race to become Rolex Player of the Year (129 points).

Prior to joining the LPGA Tour, Thitikul became the youngest player ever to win the Ladies European Tour’s Race to Costa del Sol in 2021 while also securing Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year honors.

At 14 years, 4 months and 19 days, Thitikul also became the youngest golfer to ever win a professional golf tournament with her victory at the LET’s Thailand Championship in 2017.