Minnesota: Ryu Hae-ran achieved a milestone victory by securing her first LPGA major title at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship. After a challenging start with a one-over 73 in the opening round, Ryu's prospects of winning seemed slim. However, she made a remarkable comeback at Hazeltine National Golf Club.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Ryu bounced back with a flawless 64 in the second round, propelling her to second place, though still trailing her compatriot Yoon Ina by five shots. On Saturday, Ryu took the lead with a 68, as Yoon faltered with a 75. Ryu's final round of 70, featuring five birdies and three bogeys, secured her victory with a total of 13-under 275, outpacing Yoon by two shots.
Ryu's triumph marked a historic achievement, making her the first player in 60 years to win an LPGA major after being down by 10 or more shots after the first round. Reflecting on her victory, Ryu expressed her joy, saying, "It is dreams come true. I am so happy."
The 25-year-old had taken a month off before the tournament to recover from an abdominal injury, which caused her to miss the U.S. Women's Open in June. During her break, Ryu focused on staying stress-free and enjoying time with family and friends.
Despite her challenging start, Ryu remained optimistic. "I just thought, 'This is the comeback tournament. I just want to play on the weekend,'" she remarked. Her decision to switch putters mid-tournament proved pivotal, reducing her putts from 34 in the first round to 26 in the second.
While Yoon finished as the runner-up, Brooke Henderson of Canada was also in contention, tying for third at 10-under. Henderson briefly led Ryu on the front nine but fell behind after a bogey on the 14th. Ryu acknowledged Henderson's prowess but remained focused on her game.