Ryu Hae-ran chases historic third straight major at AIG Women's Open

South Korea's Ryu Hae-ran will attempt to make her memorable LPGA season historic this week at the AIG Women's Open in England, where she will try to become the fifth golfer in LPGA history to win three major titles in a single year.

The 50th edition of the tournament tees off Thursday at Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf Club in Lytham St Annes, England, with the winner taking home US$1.5 million.

Ryu, the world No. 3, secured her maiden major at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship at the end of June, then won the very next major, the Amundi Evian Championship, two weeks later. Her victory at Evian included an 11-under 60, the lowest 18-hole score in LPGA major history, according to Yonhap.

She is the first South Korean player to win consecutive majors since Hall of Famer Park In-bee won three in a row in 2013. Only four LPGA players have previously won three majors in one season: Babe Zaharias in 1950, Mickey Wright in 1961, Pat Bradley in 1986, and Park In-bee in 2013.

Coverage comparison

Yonhap's reports frame Ryu's season as a historic pursuit, emphasizing her back-to-back major wins and her opportunity to join an elite group. The coverage also highlights her personal journey, including her admission that she long envied players introduced as "major champions," a label she says still feels surreal.

The outlet notes that this season, Ryu and world No. 1 Nelly Korda have split the first four majors. Korda won the Chevron Championship and the U.S. Women's Open, while Ryu took the KPMG Women's PGA Championship and the Amundi Evian Championship. Korda leads Ryu in the Annika Major Award and Player of the Year standings.

In the Annika Major Award, players earn points based on top-10 finishes, with a win worth 60 points. Ryu has 120 points from her two wins but did not earn points at the other two majors: she finished tied for 12th at the Chevron Championship and sat out the U.S. Women's Open due to injury. Korda, in addition to her wins, tied for eighth at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship, giving her 126 points. Korda also leads Ryu in the Player of the Year standings with 225 points.

Key claims

  • Ryu Hae-ran has won the past two LPGA major tournaments: the KPMG Women's PGA Championship and the Amundi Evian Championship.
  • She is the first South Korean player to win back-to-back majors since Park In-bee in 2013.
  • Only four LPGA players have previously won three majors in one season: Babe Zaharias, Mickey Wright, Pat Bradley, and Park In-bee.
  • The winner of the AIG Women's Open will receive US$1.5 million.
  • Ryu is ranked world No. 3.
  • Ryu and Nelly Korda have split the first four majors this season.
  • Korda leads Ryu in the Annika Major Award and Player of the Year standings.
  • Ryu will skip the Women's Scottish Open to rest ahead of the AIG Women's Open.
  • Ryu took a five-week break earlier this season for surgery to remove a lump, but says she is fully recovered.
  • Ryu's goals include winning the Vare Trophy and representing South Korea at the Los Angeles Olympics.

Personal reflections and preparation

In a press conference in Seoul on July 16, Ryu told reporters that she had long envied players described as "major champions," a label that still feels surreal after her two major wins. She acknowledged that her rapid success has been difficult to process but noted a definite shift in her confidence.

"Before the PGA Championship, I felt the pressure to win a major," Ryu said. "After winning the tournament, I was able to let go of that burden."

Ryu will skip the Women's Scottish Open to rest ahead of the season's final major. She explained that her high ball flight makes playing on windy links courses challenging, and she decided to take a break to avoid altering her swing. She also revealed she had taken a five-week break earlier in the season for surgery to remove a lump, but assured fans she is now fully recovered.

Other contenders and context

The AIG Women's Open field also includes Kim Min-sol, who will tee off at the tournament, as well as former champions Shin Ji-yai and Kim In-kyung, according to Yonhap.

Ryu's pursuit of a third straight major comes against the backdrop of a season in which she and Korda have dominated the majors. With the Annika Major Award and Player of the Year standings still in play, the final major of the year could have significant implications for both players.