Ryu So-yeon

3.1. Early Career and KLPGA Success

Ryu officially turned professional in October 2007 at the age of 17. Her first professional victory occurred in February 2008 on the American Cactus Tour, where she demonstrated her early prowess by winning an event at Wigwam Red by a commanding six strokes. Following this, she joined the LPGA of Korea Tour (KLPGA) and quickly made an impact, securing a win in only her second appearance on the tour at the 2008 Sports Seoul-KYJ Golf Open, where she finished four strokes ahead of the runner-up, Hye Yong Choi.

Her consistent performance led to her selection as a "KLPGA Promotional Model" for three consecutive years, from 2009 to 2011, a recognition typically bestowed upon approximately ten players from the top 60 in the KLPGA Tour's annual money rankings. In 2009, Ryu enjoyed her most successful season on the KLPGA Tour, capturing four victories and achieving her highest finish of second place in the tour's money rankings. She continued to add to her KLPGA win tally with one victory in 2010, one in 2011, another in 2012, and a further win in 2015. Her tenth KLPGA title came in 2020 at the Kia Motors Korea Women's Open Championship.

3.2. Breakthrough on the LPGA Tour

Ryu's breakthrough on the global stage came on July 11, 2011, when she clinched her first major championship title at the 2011 U.S. Women's Open. In a dramatic finish, she trailed clubhouse leader Hee Kyung Seo by one stroke heading into the 18th hole, known as the tournament's toughest. Ryu responded by hitting her approach shot to within 6 ft and sinking a crucial birdie putt to force a three-hole aggregate playoff. She ultimately won the playoff with a birdie on the final hole, securing the championship. This victory earned her full playing privileges on the LPGA Tour for the 2012 season.

As a rookie on the LPGA Tour in 2012, Ryu continued her winning ways, picking up her second career LPGA Tour win at the Jamie Farr Toledo Classic on August 12, 2012, with a seven-stroke victory over Angela Stanford. With one tournament remaining in the season, her consistent high finishes allowed her to secure a substantial lead in the LPGA Rookie of the Year points standings, clinching the award for the season. On June 23, 2013, Ryu faced Inbee Park in a sudden-death playoff at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship, ultimately losing when Park made a birdie on the first extra hole.

On April 2, 2017, Ryu secured her second major championship at the 2017 ANA Inspiration. This tournament was marked by controversy when then-leader Lexi Thompson received a retrospective four-stroke penalty midway through the final round. The penalty, reported by a television viewer, was for incorrectly marking and replacing her ball on the 17th hole during the third round. Despite Thompson's initial two-stroke lead, the penalty dramatically altered the leaderboard. Ryu capitalized on the situation and went on to win the championship with a birdie on the first extra hole of a sudden-death playoff against Thompson.

Her impressive performance continued throughout 2017. On June 25, 2017, Ryu won the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship, her fifth LPGA Tour title. This victory propelled her to the World No. 1 ranking in the Rolex Rankings on June 26, 2017, a position she held for 19 consecutive weeks. Her stellar 2017 season also saw her finish second in the LPGA Tour money rankings and be recognized as a co-LPGA Player of the Year alongside Park Sung-hyun. Ryu secured her sixth LPGA Tour victory at the Meijer LPGA Classic on June 17, 2018, finishing two strokes ahead of runner-up Caroline Masson.

3.3. Activities on Other Tours

Beyond her primary focus on the LPGA Tour, Ryu So-yeon has also achieved notable success on other international professional circuits. In 2015, she won the individual title at the World Ladies Championship on the Ladies European Tour, clinching a one-stroke victory.

In 2018, Ryu participated in an official tournament on the LPGA of Japan Tour (JLPGA), the Japan Women's Open Golf Championship. She emerged victorious by three strokes, notably preventing Nasa Hataoka from achieving a third consecutive win in the event. She returned to the Japan Women's Open Golf Championship in 2019, where she finished tied for second place.

4.1. LPGA Tour Wins

4.2. LPGA Tour Playoff Record

Ryu So-yeon holds a LPGA Tour playoff record of 2 wins and 4 losses.

4.3. LPGA of Korea Tour Wins

4.4. LPGA of Japan Tour Wins

4.5. Ladies European Tour Wins

4.6. Cactus Tour Wins

4.7. Other Wins

• 2014 Mission Hills World Ladies Championship - team (with Inbee Park)
• 2015 World Ladies Championship - team (with Inbee Park)

5.1. Wins

¹ Defeated Hee Kyung Seo in a three-hole playoff: Ryu (3-4-3=10) and Seo (3-6-4=13)
² Defeated Lexi Thompson in a sudden death playoff with birdie on first extra hole

5.2. Results Timeline

Results not in chronological order.

^ The Evian Championship was added as a major in 2013.

• Win (Green background)
• Top 10 (Yellow background)
• Did not play (Light gray background)
• DQ = disqualified
• CUT = missed the half-way cut
• NT = no tournament
• T = tied

5.3. Summary

• Most consecutive cuts made - 24 (2015 ANA - 2019 Evian)
• Longest streak of top-10s - 3 (twice)

6.1. LPGA Tour Annual Summary

• Includes matchplay and other events without a cut.

Ryu was not a full member of the LPGA Tour until 2012. Money earned from 2008 to 2011 was not considered official by the LPGA Tour.

6.2. World Ranking

Position in Women's World Golf Rankings at the end of each calendar year.