So Yeon Ryu has declared her retirement, scheduled for April 2024, following the Chevron Championship. Throughout her career, Ryu has won multiple major championships, but her recent announcement on social media has left fans stunned. For the former No.1 golfer, it is “one of the most significant decisions” of her life.

Ryu’s career had so many ups and downs, and she also explained that she “had some hard patches” but regardless, she persevered and achieved multiple milestones in her golfing journey. The decision was hard for her as well when she “spent much time looking back” on her “career” and expressed emotions surrounding the South Korean pro.

With “So many memories came flooding back”, the 33-year-old pro is grateful for what she had in her life. Golf gave her a lot of things for Ryu to remember, and she is also “thankful for so many things”. Let’s delve deeper into her career and explore the moments that produced the former No.1 golfer with enduring memories.

How did the early life of So Yeon Ryu look like?

Ryu is 33 years old and was born on June 29, 1990, even though the information about her childhood and parents is limited. She has a younger sister named So-Myung, with whom she spent her childhood in Seoul. Before her second year, Ryu had no interest in golf, but she had a passion for music and was an avid violin player. However, as her second year progressed, she developed an interest in golf through some co-curricular activities.

She pursued a degree in sports business and graduated from Yonsei University in 2013. While studying in college, Ryu was still competing in the LPGA Tour. Apparently, at the age of 17, the South Korean started her professional career on the LPGA Tour in Korea. Ryu was also selected as one of the three women to represent South Korea at the 2006 Asian Games.

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She delivered an outstanding performance at the Asian Games, clinching a gold medal. With her contribution, Ryu’s team also secured a gold medal. With 29 under and 9 hits, she led the team. In 2007, Ryu’s team secured victory in the Queen Sirikit Cup, with her impressive 20-stroke contribution aiding their win. Subsequently, Ryu went on to win several individual tournaments and emerged victorious against Hye Yong Choi.

How did Ryu embark on her professional life?

Towards the end of 2007, Ryu made her professional debut with her first victory at the American Cactus Tour in February 2008. Following that, the 33-year-old won the Sports Seoul Open at LPGA Korea. In the next year, Ryu was runner-up at the Australian Ladies Masters. Afterward, she competed in the Doosan Match Play Championship 2008, securing victory over Hye Yong Choi.

In 2010, Ryu took part in the China Ladies Open, achieving a fourth-place position on the leaderboard. After that, she began her career with the KLPGA, securing a runner-up position in the tournament. In the same year, she competed in the US Women’s Open and emerged victorious, defeating Hee Kyung Seo. Following this win, Ryu became the third youngest woman to win the tournament.

Ryu’s debut on the LPGA Tour

Ryu started her career with the LPGA Tour in 2012. In her first LPGA event, she had a four-putt to win, but she couldn’t qualify further after the playoffs. Following several tournaments, she had impressive 4th and 5th finishes. In no time, Ryu was dominating the race for the Rookie of the Year. In 2014, Ryu broke her personal best record and earned more than $1.4 million, also breaking a scoring average of 70 for the first time.

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After coming to the LPGA Tour, Ryu had a lot of struggles and also a lot of new experiences which gave her so much to remember throughout her life. Golf has taught Ryu so many lessons to where she can say “Golf is life,” for her. As fans bid her farewell, the impact she had on the field leaves its mark.

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