Haeran Ryu — The Iron Queen of Korean Golf
2026 KPGA Women's PGA Championship Winner
“A precision ball-striker who conquers pressure with a calm smile. Haeran Ryu is no longer just a rising star—she is a Major Champion.”
Quick Facts
Full Name: Haeran Ryu (유해란)
Birthdate: March 23, 2001
Birthplace: Yeongam, Jeollanam-do, South Korea
Height: 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm)
Rookie Year: KLPGA (2020) / LPGA Tour (2023)
Main Sponsor: DAOL Financial Group
Key Strength: Elite ball-striking and Greens in Regulation (GIR) dominance
Career Highlights and Milestones
2023 Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year: Dominated her debut season on the LPGA Tour, becoming the first Korean player to win the award since 2019.
First Major Title (2026): Captured the 72nd KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Hazeltine National Golf Club, overcoming a massive 10-stroke deficit from the first round to secure her place in history.
Consistency in the Big Moments: Known for her remarkable tee-to-green precision, consistently ranking near the top of the tour in ball-striking efficiency.
Professional Wins (8 Titles Worldwide)
LPGA Tour Wins:
2026 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship (First Major Championship)
2025 Black Desert Championship
2024 FM Championship
2023 Walmart NW Arkansas Championship (Maiden LPGA Tour Victory)
KLPGA Tour Wins:
2022 Nexen SaintNine Masters
2021 SK Shieldus-SK Telecom Championship
2021 ELCRU-TV Chosun Pro Celebrity
2020 Jeju Samdasoo Masters (Won as a rookie)
Play Style and Statistical Profile
Haeran Ryu’s game is built on a foundation of flawless mechanics and exceptional ball-striking. Key elements of her play include:
The Iron Masterclass: She consistently ranks near the very top of the tour for Greens in Regulation (GIR) percentage. Her ability to stick her approach shots close keeps her in contention every tournament.
Ice-Cool Demeanor: Regardless of whether she shoots a low round or faces a tough bogey, her calm and collected approach prevents bad holes from turning into bad rounds.
Closing Ability: As demonstrated in her 2026 Major triumph, she possesses the closing speed needed to chase down leaders on Sunday under immense pressure.
What Makes Her Special to Fans
When she won the 2023 Rookie of the Year award, she captured the hearts of global golf fans by delivering her acceptance speech entirely in English, demonstrating her commitment to connecting with the international community. With her friendly demeanor, steady patience, and world-class skill set, she has firmly established herself as a leader of the new generation of Korean golf.
Key Quotes
On Her First Major Championship Victory (2026 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship):
“It feels like a dream come true right now because I tried a couple of times to become a major champion but I didn’t get it. Today I did it, so I am so happy right now. Next tournament, they will introduce me like, ‘Major champion, Haeran Ryu.’ It is amazing for me.”
On Overcoming a Tough Opening Round and Trusting Her Game:
“My coach told me to ‘believe in yourself.’ He said there were no other problems, so I should just trust my shots, trust my caddie, and trust myself on the golf course, which led to a good result. I didn’t care about anything else. I just cared for my swing.”
On Bouncing Back After an Injury and Taking Mid-Season Time Off:
“I decided to take a mid-season ‘off-season break’ for a month, and it was my first time taking that much time off in the middle of a season. I got to experience a lot of things off the course, enjoyed time with my parents and friends, and stayed stress-free. The efforts I made with my coach in South Korea paid off this week.”