MINNEAPOLIS — The winner’s cheque landed in the bank account of Hae-ran Ryu on Sunday evening, the largest single payday in women’s golf history. The 25-year-old South Korean completed a staggering comeback at the Women’s PGA Championship at Hazeltine National Golf Club, turning a 10-shot deficit after the first round into a two-stroke victory. Ryu’s final-round 70, a two-under-par effort, sealed the breakthrough major at 13 under par.
The prize money, approximately $2.8 million Australian, eclipses any previous payout on the LPGA Tour. According to tournament records, Ryu is the first player in 62 years to win a major championship after trailing by 10 shots following the opening round.
The comeback began with a Friday 64 and a Saturday 68. Those rounds erased the sizable lead built by fellow Korean Ina Yoon, who had held a five-shot advantage entering the weekend. Yoon ultimately settled for second place after also posting a 70 on Sunday.
Canadian Brooke M. Henderson briefly seized the outright lead during the final round as Ryu wobbled early.
Three bogeys in the first five holes opened the door. Henderson closed with a 72 to finish tied for third at 10 under alongside Dutchwoman Dewi Weber, who carded a 70. World No. 1 Nelly Korda, who had won the year’s first two majors at the Chevron Championship and the US Open, could manage only a Sunday 73.
She finished in a share of eighth place at six under par. Australian Karis Davidson posted a career-best tie for 12th. Starting the day five shots back in a share of eighth, Davidson also shot a final-round 73 to finish at five under, one stroke further behind Korda.
Davidson’s challenge never truly threatened the leaders. Ryu’s recovery from the early wobble was decisive.
She drained lengthy putts on the ninth, tenth and twelfth holes, producing four birdies in a mid-round stretch that wrestled control of the tournament back from Henderson. The decision to switch putters mid-tournament paid off handsomely. The victory marks Ryu’s first major championship and cements her place in the record books for both the comeback and the payout.
