Ryu's Historic Major Win
Haeran Ryu Wins Women's PGA Championship, Securing First Major Title
Haeran Ryu won the 2026 KPMG Women's PGA Championship on Sunday, claiming her first major title with a 13-under 275 at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota. She beat runner-up Ina Yoon by two strokes, finishing with rounds of 73-64-68-70. Associated Press called it one of the most remarkable comebacks in major championship history.
Ryu, 25, started the week in a tie for 70th place — 10 shots off the lead. She became the first major champion in at least 60 years to overcome a double-digit first-round deficit, according to Associated Press. She is also the sixth South Korean player to win the Women's PGA Championship in the last 12 editions.
From 10 Shots Back to Champion in Four Days
Ryu's opening round of 1-over 73 left her in serious trouble. Ina Yoon had fired a tournament-record 9-under 63 on Thursday, building a commanding lead. Most players never recover from a gap that large at a major. But Ryu came out swinging on Friday, posting a bogey-free 8-under 64 — the low round of the day — to vault back into contention, according to LPGA.com.
On Saturday, Yoon struggled badly. She shot a 3-over 75 with six bogeys, while Ryu carded a 4-under 68 that included an eagle on the par-5 7th hole. Ryu entered Sunday with a one-shot lead over Brooke Henderson, per LPGA.com. A weather delay of 3.5 hours pushed the final round back, but Ryu stayed steady and closed with a 2-under 70.
Ryu Returns From Surgery to Capture the Title
This was Ryu's first start after a six-week break from the LPGA Tour. She had minor surgery and skipped the U.S. Women's Open to recover. Golf analyst Andy Roberts noted that her "composed final-round performance" was remarkable given how little competitive golf she had played heading into the week, according to Golfmagic.
Ryu said the win was a long time coming. "It feels like a dream come true," she said. "I came close before, but today I got it." This was her fourth LPGA title overall and her first major. She won the LPGA Tour Rookie of the Year award in 2023.
Yoon's Five-Shot Lead Vanishes Over the Weekend
Ina Yoon, 23, entered Saturday with a five-shot lead and a chance to win her first major. Instead, she carded six bogeys and watched the lead slip away entirely. After the round, Yoon was honest about what happened. "I was just nervous a lot," she said. "I missed short putts. I'm kind of learning still," according to KNBR.
World No. 1 Nelly Korda was also in the field, chasing a historic start to the season. She finished tied for eighth after struggling with her putter. "Short putts are pretty difficult. Sometimes you just aren't as confident with your lines," Korda said, per LPGA.com. Brooke Henderson tied for third.
A Record $13 Million Purse Signals Women's Golf Growth
Ryu took home $1,950,000 from a total prize purse of $13 million — the largest in women's golf history. That purse has grown from $3.5 million in 2017, a jump of more than 270%, according to Golf Channel. Forbes framed the record payout as a "statement" to the sports industry about the growing marketability of the LPGA.
The event drew 156 players, including the top 100 on the LPGA points list. Hazeltine National is set to host the Ryder Cup in 2029, cementing its place as one of golf's premier venues. For Ryu, the victory puts her firmly in the Player of the Year conversation for 2026, per LPGA.com.
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