The LPGA Tour is not only known for its star-studded lineup but also for its rookie players each year. There are 23 rookies playing in the 2023 LPGA season. These newcomers are part of the 46 players who secured their LPGA positions through the rigorous two-week Q-Series tournament. Belonging from 16 diverse countries, the rookies represent nations such as the USA, China, Thailand, France, South Korea, and Japan.

These players are not always grabbing headlines but consistently displaying their prowess and maintaining their positions on the tour and in the games they participate in. One such rookie is Ryu Hae-Ran, who is from Jin Young Ko’s homeland, South Korea. She is one of the new players who is making waves. She has already secured five victories on the Korean Tour and is a rising star in golf. Let’s learn more about this South Korean rookie player.

Ryu Hae-Ran’s Amateur career

Born on March 23, 2001, in Seoul, South Korea, the 22-year-old LPGA Tour rising star Hae Ran Ryu, also known as Ryu Hae-ran, has already secured five victories on the LPGA of Korea Tour. Her parents have consistently championed her golfing pursuits since her early days in the sport.

She is a dominant force as an amateur in Korea. Among her accolades, she clinched the title at the 2018 Korean Women’s Amateur. Though she qualified for the 2016 U.S. Women’s Open, she didn’t make it past the cut. She also won the 2018 Neighbors Trophy Team Championship and the Korean Women’s Amateur.

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With the Korean team, she won silver at the World Junior Girls Championship in both 2016 and 2017 and added another silver at the 2018 Asian Games. Additionally, she finished fifth at the 2018 Asia/Pacific in Patsy Hankins Trophy.

Securing her second appearance in the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open due to her No. 25 position in the Rolex Rankings, the young Ryu has had an impressive rookie season on the LPGA Tour of Korea. This includes a victory at the Jeju Samdasoo Masters, two runner-up finishes, and four additional top-10 placements. Currently, she ranks at No. 37 in the Rolex Rankings.

Ryu Hae-Ran’s professional career

Ryu embarked on her professional journey in mid-2019, initially playing on the Jump Tour. With numerous top-five finishes to her credit, her transition to the Dream Tour was smooth. Within two months there, she celebrated four victories. Later that year, she was introduced to the KLPGA, though her official rookie status didn’t start until the year 2020.

Remarkably, Ryu clinched her maiden KLPGA victory in August at the Samdasoo Masters. Despite the presence of several LPGA stars in the competition, at the young age of 18 years, she outshone them all.

In 2022, making a strong impression, she tied for 7th in her LPGA Drive On Championship debut and was a strong contender at the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open, where she finished 8th.

She has accumulated 5 professional victories on the LPGA of Korea Tour including the 2019 and 2020 Jeju Samdasoo Masters victory, the 2021, ELCRU-TV Chosun Pro Celebrity, and SK Shieldus-SK Telecom Championship, and the 2022 Nexen Saint Nine Masters.

Post the 2023 Solheim Cup week, Ryu Hae-Ran is competing at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship. The rookie delivered an impressive bogey-free 7-under 64, extending her lead to two strokes on Saturday and leaving golf superstar Lexi Thompson trailing by six with one round remaining. She mentioned, “It’s more confidence … that I can make so many birdies.”

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She added, “This week my shot is so perfect.”Ryu shot an impressive streak of 52 holes without a bogey. “Little worrying at hole 8, my hole 17,” Ryu remarked. “A little awkward short putt, but I make par” talking about her game on that day.

At the Pinnacle Country Club, Ryu finished her last nine holes with a remarkable 5-under 31, marking birdies on the 3rd through 6th holes and again on the 9th. Hae Ran Ryu clinched victory at the LPGA Q-Series, securing her spot on the LPGA Tour for 2023. She is the third Korean player to earn top honors at the LPGA Q-Series, following in the footsteps of Lee Jeong-Eun in 2018 and An Na-Rin in 2021.

Having witnessed the rise of young talents in golf such as Ryu Hae-Ran, we look forward to standout performances and landmark wins from the rising golf star. What do you think about this? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

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