Haeran Ryu captured her first major title at the Women’s PGA Championship on Sunday at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota. Overcoming a challenging start, Ryu closed the tournament with a two-under-par 70 to finish at 13-under 275, securing a two-stroke victory over Ina Yoon.

Ryu, the 2023 LPGA Tour Rookie of the Year, notably became the first major champion in at least six decades to rally from a deficit of more than 10 shots after the opening round. She began the tournament tied for 70th place following a 73, while Yoon set a tournament record with a 63 in the first round. Competing in her first event in six weeks, Ryu credited her coach’s advice to trust herself and her caddie for helping her steady her game throughout the final rounds.

The 25-year-old South Korean’s performance marked the sixth time a South Korean player has won the Women’s PGA Championship in the last 12 years, reflecting the country's strong presence in women’s golf. Brooke Henderson and Dewi Weber finished tied for third at 10 under par, while three American players—Allisen Corpuz, Auston Kim, and Alison Lee—shared fifth place, six strokes behind the champion.

Yoon, 23, achieved her best LPGA Tour finish and demonstrated resilience by recovering from a 75 in the third round and a double bogey early on Sunday. Although expressing some disappointment, she acknowledged the learning experience gained under pressure. “I think it’s going to be a really big lesson in the big picture,” Yoon said after the event.

The tournament faced weather disruptions, with a thunderstorm on Sunday morning delaying tee times by three and a half hours. The storm left the course’s greens soft and atmospheric conditions gusty, adding to the challenge on Hazeltine’s notoriously long fairways.

Ryu trailed by five strokes after two rounds and shared second place in a four-way tie. She moved into the lead on Saturday, edging out Henderson by a single stroke entering the final round. Despite bogeying three of her first five holes on Sunday, Ryu rallied with a strong ball-striking display, going four under across her last 12 holes to pull away from the field.

Dewi Weber’s performance was notable as well; tying for third, she became only the fourth Dutch woman to finish in the top 20 of a major tournament. Henderson's consistent play maintained her position among the leaders.

LPGA Tour leader Nelly Korda tied for eighth after a challenging weekend focused on putting difficulties, including five three-putts on Sunday. She was unable to complete a sweep of the season’s first three majors, which would have been a historic achievement. Despite setbacks, Korda remains a contender for the upcoming Evian Championship and Women’s British Open.

With the season progressing, Ryu’s breakthrough victory and Yoon’s strong showing highlight emerging talent alongside established players continuing to compete at the highest level on the LPGA Tour.