Ryu Hae-ran wins first major at KPMG Women's PGA Championship after comeback
South Korean golfer Ryu Hae-ran captured her first LPGA major title at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship, overcoming a slow start to finish at 13-under 275 and beat compatriot Yoon Ina by two shots at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota.
Ryu, ranked world No. 7, opened the tournament with a 1-over 73 on Thursday, leaving her well behind the leaders. The 36-hole cut was set at 2-over, and Ryu needed a strong second round just to continue in the event. She delivered a bogey-free 64 on Friday to climb to second place, though she still trailed Yoon by five shots after Yoon's opening rounds of 63 and 69.
On Saturday, Ryu shot 68 while Yoon stumbled to 75, giving Ryu the lead. In the final round, Ryu carded a 70 with five birdies and three bogeys to seal the victory.
The win made Ryu the first player in 60 years to win an LPGA major after being down by 10 or more shots after the first round.
"It is dreams come true. I am so happy," Ryu said. "Next tournament, they will introduce me like, 'Major champion, Haeran Ryu.' It is amazing for me."
Ryu, 25, had taken about a month off before the tournament to treat a nagging abdominal injury, which also forced her to miss the U.S. Women's Open earlier in June. She said she used the break to rest and spend time with family.
"It was a little bit sad (to miss the U.S. Open) but it is OK," she said. "I worked hard again and got good rest, and had a good time with my parents and my friends."
According to Ryu, she never considered herself out of contention even after her opening round. She also noted that she initially questioned her decision to return at a major rather than a regular event, but came to see it as a positive challenge.
"Honestly, my goal was not to win the tournament. Because I took about a month off, I just wanted to get my feel back on the course. At first, I regretted it a little bit and wondered if I should have come back the week before. But I knew the major championship is difficult for everyone, not just me, and so I figured I had nothing to lose," she said.
Ryu added that her coach reassured her during the layoff.
"I would be lying if I said I was not worried about such a long break," she said. "But my coach reminded me that I have been playing golf my whole life and taking three weeks off will not change anything. He said I just needed to work hard for two weeks and there would be no problem. I learned that rest is really important."
Ryu also revealed that she used a new putter in the first round but switched back to her old putter for the second round.
The victory earned Ryu a winner's prize of US$1.95 million.