Full Breakdown
Haeran Ryu’s Historic Comeback Upsets Nelly Korda’s Quest for a Third Straight Major
6/29/2026, 9:24:27 PM
Season Context and Early Struggles
World No. 1 Nelly Korda entered the 2023 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship fresh from a U.S. Women’s Open win three weeks earlier and was targeting an unprecedented third consecutive major. South Korea’s Haeran Ryu, the 2023 LPGA Tour Rookie of the Year, had taken a month off after minor surgery and returned to Hazeltine National Golf Club with limited recent competitive play.
Tournament Timeline
- Thursday (Round 1): Ryu carded a 73 (+1), tying for 70th; Ina Yoon opened with a tournament-record 63 (-9).
- Friday (Round 2): Ryu posted a bogey-free 64 (-8), climbing into the top-20.
- Saturday (Round 3): Ryu shot 68 (-4) to take a one-shot lead over Brooke Henderson.
- Sunday (Final Round): Ryu finished 70 (-2) for a total of 13-under 275, winning by two strokes. Yoon finished second at 11-under; Henderson and Dewi Weber tied for third at 10-under. Korda recorded a 73 (+1) and tied for eighth, six strokes behind the leader.
Data & Statistics
- Winning score: 13-under 275 (Ryu).
- Prize money: $1.95 million winner’s share from a $13 million purse, the largest in women’s golf history.
- South Korean dominance: Ryu became the sixth South Korean to win the event in the last 12 editions.
- Korda’s short-game woes: five three-putts, a double-bogey on the 16th (first and fourth rounds), and a final-round 1-over 73.
- Hall of Fame race: Korda needs two points; a major win or two regular-tour victories would secure entry.
Key Players
- Haeran Ryu (25): First major, 2023 Rookie of the Year, overcame a 10-shot deficit.
- Nelly Korda (27): LPGA leader, seeking a career Grand Slam.
- Ina Yoon (23): Runner-up, posted the opening-round 63.
- Brooke Henderson (Canada) & Dewi Weber (Netherlands): Tied for third, each finishing at 10-under.
Official Statements & Responses
Ryu emphasized self-trust, noting, “You don’t have another problem so just trust your shot and trust your caddie and trust yourself on the golf course.” Korda described her approach as “just trying to take it a shot at a time, really,” while also acknowledging the difficulty of the short putts on the slick, windy greens. Yoon praised Ryu’s performance, calling it “unbelievable,” and added that she learned a great deal from the champion’s composure.
Criticism of Korda’s Short Game
Analysts highlighted Korda’s five three-putts and the costly double-bogey on the 16th lake-side hole as decisive factors that prevented her from contending for the title and delayed her Hall-of-Fame qualification.
On-the-Ground Conditions
A thunderstorm delayed tee times by 3½ hours, leaving the greens extra soft and the wind gusting up to 30 mph. Hazeltine’s signature lakeside 16th repeatedly punished errant shots, contributing to multiple double-bogeys among the leaders.
Impact and Future Implications
Ryu’s victory ends Korda’s bid for three straight majors and keeps the world No. 1 within striking distance of a career Grand Slam, with the Evian Championship and Women’s British Open next month. The win also reinforces South Korea’s continued dominance on the LPGA Tour.
Verbatim Quotes
- “You don't have another problem so just trust your shot and trust your caddie and trust yourself on the golf course,” — Haeran Ryu, Player
- “I was just trying to take it a shot at a time, really,” — Nelly Korda, World No. 1
- “Haeran played unbelievable today,” — Ina Yoon, Runner-up
- “It feels like a dream has come true because I tried a couple times to be a major champion and I didn't get it,” — Haeran Ryu, Player
- “The greens are pretty slick.” — Nelly Korda, World No. 1
