Golf’s biggest championships are often defined by resilience, and Haeran Ryu delivered one of the most remarkable comeback victories in recent major history by claiming her maiden Women’s PGA Championship title at Hazeltine National Golf Club on Sunday. The South Korean star overcame a slow start to the tournament, difficult weather conditions, and a final-round challenge to secure a memorable two-shot victory, cementing her place among the sport’s elite.
Ryu carded a composed two under par 70 in the final round to finish the championship at 13 under 275, becoming the sixth South Korean golfer to lift the Women’s PGA Championship trophy in the last 12 editions. As her final putt dropped into the cup, the 24-year-old celebrated with a broad smile before being greeted by friends who rushed onto the green to shower her with water, marking the biggest moment of her professional career.
The victory was historic in more ways than one. After opening the championship with a one over par 73 on Thursday, Ryu found herself tied for 70th place and trailing first-round leader Ina Yoon by 10 shots. Few would have predicted that she would emerge as champion just three days later.
According to LPGA records, Ryu became the first player in at least six decades to recover from a double-digit deficit after the opening round to win a major championship. Her turnaround began with exceptional performances during the middle rounds, where she steadily climbed the leaderboard with accurate ball striking and composed putting. Entering the final day, Ryu held the advantage but still faced pressure from several experienced challengers.
The closing round was anything but straightforward. Play at Hazeltine National Golf Club was significantly disrupted after heavy thunderstorms swept across the Twin Cities metropolitan area early Sunday morning. More than an inch of rain forced tournament officials to suspend play for several hours, delaying tee times by three and a half hours.
The rain softened the greens considerably, while strong gusting winds created an added challenge throughout the afternoon. Players had to adjust constantly to changing conditions on one of the LPGA Tour’s most demanding championship venues, where lengthy fairways and strategically placed hazards already require exceptional precision.
Despite the testing circumstances, Ryu remained composed. Although she encountered an early setback during the final round, the South Korean quickly regained her rhythm with a series of confident approach shots and clutch putts. She displayed remarkable maturity under pressure, avoiding costly mistakes while several of her closest rivals struggled to build sustained momentum.
Ina Yoon, who had electrified the opening round with a tournament-record 63, mounted a determined challenge throughout the championship but ultimately finished two strokes behind Ryu. While Yoon remained in contention until the closing stages, she was unable to erase the gap created by Ryu’s consistency across the final three rounds.
Brooke Henderson of Canada and Dewi Weber of the Netherlands shared third place at 10 under par after impressive weeks that showcased their ability to navigate the demanding layout. Three American golfers, Allisen Corpuz, Auston Kim and Alison Lee, finished tied for fifth, ending the tournament six shots behind the champion.
World number one Nelly Korda entered the championship hoping to continue her dominant season and become only the third player in history to win the year’s first three major championships. However, persistent struggles on the greens prevented her from making a serious title charge. Korda closed with a one over par 73 to finish in a four-way tie for eighth, ending an otherwise impressive run in major competition.
For Ryu, the triumph represents another significant milestone in a career that has risen rapidly over the past three seasons. After earning LPGA Tour Rookie of the Year honours in 2023, she quickly established herself as one of the circuit’s most consistent performers with multiple victories and regular appearances near the top of leaderboards.
Her breakthrough at Hazeltine now confirms her status as one of the game’s premier players. Combining powerful driving, precise iron play and impressive composure under pressure, Ryu demonstrated the complete skill set required to win golf’s biggest tournaments.
The victory also reinforces South Korea’s enduring excellence in professional golf. For more than a decade, South Korean golfers have been among the dominant forces on the LPGA Tour, consistently producing champions at the sport’s biggest events through a combination of technical excellence, disciplined preparation and mental toughness.
As Ryu lifted the prestigious trophy beneath clearing skies at Hazeltine, it marked not only the arrival of a new major champion but also the continuation of South Korea’s remarkable legacy in championship golf. With confidence now at an all-time high and her first major title secured, Haeran Ryu appears poised to challenge for many more of the sport’s biggest prizes in the years ahead.
