Hae-ran Ryu completes historic comeback to win Women's PGA Championship
South Korea's Hae-ran Ryu has won the Women's PGA Championship in Minnesota, overcoming a 10-stroke first-round deficit to claim her maiden major title and the largest payday in women's golf history.
Ryu shot a final-round two-under-par 70 to finish at 13-under, two shots clear of fellow South Korean Ina Yoon. The 25-year-old's victory was sealed with a record winner's cheque of $US1.95 million ($2.8 million), the biggest prize in women's golf.
Ryu's comeback was remarkable: after opening with a 1-over 73, she became the first player in 62 years to win a major from 10 shots behind after the first round. A switch of putters mid-tournament proved decisive, as she followed with rounds of 64 and 68 to reel in early leader Yoon.
Yoon, who had led by five shots entering the weekend, settled for second after a final-round 70. Canada's Brooke M Henderson finished equal third with Dutchwoman Dewi Weber at 10-under.
World No.1 Nelly Korda, chasing a historic third consecutive major of 2026, could only manage a Sunday 73 to finish tied for eighth at six-under. Korda had been bidding to become only the third woman since 1950 to win the first three majors of the year, having already taken the Chevron Championship and US Open.
Australian Karis Davidson, who had been the leading Australian after the opening round with a superb seven-under 65, finished in a career-best tie for 12th at five-under. The 27-year-old from the Gold Coast posted a final-round 73, unable to mount a serious challenge after starting the day five shots back.
Davidson had earlier been the surprise packet of the first round, rattling in eight birdies to sit outright second. Her performance marked a significant breakthrough for a player without a top-20 finish in her previous four majors.
Despite the strong start, Davidson's challenge faded over the weekend, but her 12th-place finish represents her best result in a major championship.