Jiyai Shin No. 1 in women’s golf, replacing Lorena Ochoa

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A new era in women’s golf begins with a new No. 1 golfer.

One day after Lorena Ochoa retired, she was bumped from the top spot in the rankings by South Korea’s Jiyai Shin, whose victory on the Japan LPGA Tour gave her an average of 9.29 points.

Last season, Shin was player of the year and rookie of the year after capturing the money list.

Ochoa, who finished sixth at the LPGA event in Mexico over the weekend, slips to No. 2 with an average of 9.20. She had been No. 1 for 158 weeks since overtaking Annika Sorenstam in April 2007.

Last month, Ochoa announced her retirement from the LPGA tour, saying, ‘I just want to be a normal person.’

Ai Miyazato of Japan, who won the event in Mexico, is now at No. 3.

-- Chuck Schilken

The Associated Press contributed to this report.