So Yeon Ryu Bio
So Yeon Ryu is a South Korean professional golfer who has competed on the LPGA Tour and the LPGA of Korea Tour. She is best known for winning two major championships, the 2011 U.S. Women’s Open and the 2017 ANA Inspiration, along with several individual titles across multiple professional tours. Ryu turned professional in 2007 and quickly established herself as one of the most consistent players of her generation.
Her career has included significant milestones such as reaching the No. 1 position in the Women’s World Golf Rankings in 2017 and earning major individual awards from the LPGA. In March 2024, Ryu announced her intention to retire following the 2024 Chevron Championship, closing a career that has inspired many young golfers in South Korea and around the world.
Early Life and Background
So Yeon Ryu was born on 29 June 1990 in Seoul, South Korea. She grew up in a country with a strong golf tradition, and from an early age she showed an interest in the sport. The competitive environment of South Korean junior golf helped shape her disciplined approach and work ethic, which became a hallmark of her professional career.
Ryu attended school in South Korea and eventually enrolled at Yonsei University, one of the country’s most respected institutions. She took university classes while competing full-time on the LPGA Tour and graduated in February 2013 with a degree in sports business. Her ability to balance education with elite-level competition reflected the focus and maturity that defined her personality on and off the course.
Path to Professional Golf
Ryu turned professional in 2007 at the age of 17, joining the ranks of the LPGA of Korea Tour. Her first professional victory came in February 2008 on the American Cactus Tour, where she won by six strokes, a strong start that signaled her potential on an international stage. Shortly afterward, she won the Sports Seoul Open on the LPGA of Korea Tour in her very first event on that circuit.
These early wins helped Ryu qualify for opportunities on larger stages, including major championships. By 2011, she had earned her place among the top competitors in women’s golf. Her development through regional and developmental tours in Asia and the United States provided a solid foundation for the success that would follow on the LPGA Tour.
So Yeon Ryu Career
Early Career (2007-2011)
During her first years as a professional, So Yeon Ryu competed primarily on the LPGA of Korea Tour and earned limited starts on the LPGA Tour. She claimed her first professional title in February 2008 on the American Cactus Tour and then won her first event on the LPGA of Korea Tour. Her consistent play in Asia built her reputation and positioned her for future success on the global stage.
In July 2011, Ryu captured her first major championship at the U.S. Women’s Open. Trailing by one stroke on the 18th hole, she hit her approach to within six feet and made a birdie putt to force a three-hole playoff with Hee Kyung Seo. Ryu sealed the victory with a birdie on the last playoff hole, announcing herself as a major champion at age 21.
LPGA Tour Breakthrough (2012-2016)
Ryu joined the LPGA Tour as a full member in 2012 and quickly made an impact. She won the Jamie Farr Toledo Classic that year, and with one tournament remaining in the season, she had built a large enough lead in the Rookie of the Year standings to clinch the LPGA Rookie of the Year award. The honor confirmed her status as one of the top newcomers in the game.
Throughout the following seasons, Ryu remained a steady presence on the LPGA Tour, regularly contending in events. In 2013, she lost a sudden-death playoff at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship to Inbee Park, finishing with par while Park converted a birdie on the first extra hole. Despite the close loss, Ryu’s consistency during this period kept her among the tour’s most reliable players.
Major Success and World No. 1 (2017)
In 2017, So Yeon Ryu reached the highest point of her career. On 2 April 2017, she won her second major title at the ANA Inspiration, defeating Lexi Thompson in a sudden-death playoff with a birdie on the first extra hole. The victory came during a tournament marked by a four-stroke penalty assessed to Thompson based on a viewer-reported rules infraction from the third round.
Later that same month, Ryu won the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship for her fifth LPGA Tour title. The result moved her to the top of the Women’s World Golf Rankings on 26 June 2017, making her only the 11th player to hold the No. 1 position since the rankings began. Her 2017 achievements were recognized with the LPGA Player of the Year award and the Rolex Annika Major Award.
Later Career and Retirement (2018-2024)
Following her peak years, So Yeon Ryu continued to compete on the LPGA Tour while also playing select events on the LPGA of Korea Tour and the LPGA of Japan Tour. Her career totals included victories on multiple professional circuits, reflecting her versatility across tours. She remained a respected veteran presence in the women’s game throughout the late 2010s and early 2020s.
In March 2024, Ryu announced that she would retire from professional golf following the 2024 Chevron Championship. The decision marked the end of a career that began in 2007 and included two major championships, the No. 1 world ranking, and more than 20 professional wins across multiple tours.
Driving Style and Strengths
So Yeon Ryu is recognized for her steady, controlled ball-striking and her calm demeanor under pressure. Her strength has been the ability to remain consistent across a variety of course conditions, particularly on major championship setups that demand accuracy off the tee and precise iron play. Her composed approach in high-stakes moments, including playoffs and final-round pairings, has been a defining feature of her career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Ryu’s most memorable career moments include her 2011 U.S. Women’s Open victory with a clutch birdie on the 18th hole and her 2017 ANA Inspiration playoff win over Lexi Thompson. Becoming the 11th player to reach No. 1 in the Women’s World Golf Rankings in June 2017 stands as another defining milestone, along with her 2012 LPGA Rookie of the Year award.
So Yeon Ryu Career Wins
So Yeon Ryu has accumulated professional victories across multiple tours, including the LPGA Tour, the LPGA of Korea Tour, the LPGA of Japan Tour, the Ladies European Tour, and the American Cactus Tour. Her career total of approximately 20 professional wins reflects steady play across more than a decade of competition. Her major championship victories stand as the highlights of her record.
LPGA Tour Highlights
On the LPGA Tour, Ryu has recorded multiple wins, including the 2011 U.S. Women’s Open, the 2012 Jamie Farr Toledo Classic, and the 2017 Walmart NW Arkansas Championship. Her 2017 victory at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship was the fifth of her LPGA Tour career and moved her to No. 1 in the world. She also competed in numerous additional events with consistent results, including runner-up finishes in playoffs.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond the LPGA Tour, Ryu has posted victories on the LPGA of Korea Tour, the LPGA of Japan Tour, the Ladies European Tour, and the American Cactus Tour. Her first professional title came in February 2008 on the American Cactus Tour, where she won by six strokes. She also won her first event on the LPGA of Korea Tour, the Sports Seoul Open, shortly after turning professional.
So Yeon Ryu Family
Family Background and Personal Life
So Yeon Ryu was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea, and has maintained ties to her home country throughout her career. She pursued higher education at Yonsei University, graduating in February 2013 with a degree in sports business while competing on the LPGA Tour. Her commitment to education alongside professional golf has been a notable aspect of her personal story.
2025 Season Performance
So Yeon Ryu announced in March 2024 that she would retire from professional golf following the 2024 Chevron Championship. As a result, she did not compete on the LPGA Tour during the 2025 season, bringing her professional career to a close after 17 years. Her retirement followed a career that included two major championships, a No. 1 world ranking, and recognition as one of South Korea’s most successful golfers of her generation.