So Yeon Ryu ended the 2011 drought for South Korean golfers in fine fashion, coming from behind to win the U.S. Women’s Open over compatriot Hee Kyung Seo in a three-hole playoff on Monday in Colorado Springs, Co.
Despite having a disproportionate number of athletes on the LPGA tour, South Korea had been stymied from achieving victory thus far in 2011, with Taiwanese superstar Yani Tseng’s three 2011 victories preventing much of the country’s success this year.
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Ryu became the fifth South Korean to win the Open and the fourth in the last seven years, according to the Associated Press.
Yes, they take their golf seriously there and Se Ri Pak—the queen of the sport in that country—was out on the course watching the 21-year-old Ryu make history.
“I’m proud of it,” Ryu said. “To see my hero, Se Ri Pak, out there fighting for me. It’s pretty powerful, yeah.”
Ryu snatched victory from 25-year-old rookie Seo by hitting a magnificent approach shot on the last hole of her fourth round, which she completed on Monday due to darkness the previous day. Ryu followed up the last-minute birdie by playing the three-hole playoff two shots below par.
