SAN JOSE, Calif. - San Jose State senior Sean Yu is now one of the top-100 ranked amateur golfers in the world.
The World Amateur Golf Rankings utilize tournament finishes and strength of competition as part of the rankings formula. Yu is up to No. 99, the highest ranking of his career.
"It was a really happy moment to see my name up there," Yu said. "All the work I've put in the last couple years has paid off. But there's always room for improvement and it gives me motivation to keep working and climbing."
Yu's ascension up the rankings has been dramatic. When he transferred to San Jose State after his freshman season at Cal, Yu was in the 1500s in the WAGR.
"When I decided to transfer I had a conversation with coach Kennaday and I really liked what he had to say and his thoughts on my future," Yu said. "And then when I came on my visit I toured the whole facility and immediately fell in love with it."
A 25th place showing at the elite level Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in the fall of 2019 was a big boost to his ranking and he continued that momentum with a championship at the Visit Stockton Pacific Invitational and a second place showing at the Alister MacKenzie Invitational. Yu then earned a spot in the field at the PGA Tour's Genesis Invitational after winning the Genesis Collegiate Showcase at The Riviera. He took seventh this week at the Bandon Dunes Championship.
"This is a testament to his hard work," said head coach John Kennaday. "It's a beautiful thing to see. It's incredible how far he's been able to climb as he's improved at San Jose State."
Yu's climb into the top-100 has come with some prestigious tournament invitations. Yu will play in the Western Amateur Championship, the Northeast Amateur Championship and the Sunnehanna Amateur Tournament for Champions this summer.