So Yeon Ryu is seeking to win her second major title at this week's U.S. Women's Open in Southampton, New York.
The rise of South Korean women —
So Yeon Ryu is seeking to win her second major title at this week's U.S. Women's Open in Southampton, New York.
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In 2011 she became the fifth South Korean to win the tournament when she beat compatriot Hee Kyung Seo in a three-hole playoff in Colorado.
The rise of South Korean women —
In 2011 she became the fifth South Korean to win the tournament when she beat compatriot Hee Kyung Seo in a three-hole playoff in Colorado.
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That victory prompted Ryu to move to the U.S.-based LPGA Tour, where she was named Rookie of the Year for 2012, having added another victory to her resume at the Jamie Farr Toledo Classic in August.
The rise of South Korean women —
That victory prompted Ryu to move to the U.S.-based LPGA Tour, where she was named Rookie of the Year for 2012, having added another victory to her resume at the Jamie Farr Toledo Classic in August.
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Ryu finished second at the opening major of this season, the Kraft Nabisco Championship in April, after charging up the field with a 65 on the final day.
The rise of South Korean women —
Ryu finished second at the opening major of this season, the Kraft Nabisco Championship in April, after charging up the field with a 65 on the final day.
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However, the 22-year-old missed the halfway cut at the second major of 2013, the LPGA Championship in Pittsford, New York, at the start of June.
The rise of South Korean women —
However, the 22-year-old missed the halfway cut at the second major of 2013, the LPGA Championship in Pittsford, New York, at the start of June.
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Ryu gave up her childhood dream of becoming a musician after taking up golf at elementary school.
The rise of South Korean women —
Ryu gave up her childhood dream of becoming a musician after taking up golf at elementary school.
so yeon ryu
She was a top performer at amateur level, winning gold medals in the individual and team events at the 2006 Asian Games in Qatar.
The rise of South Korean women —
She was a top performer at amateur level, winning gold medals in the individual and team events at the 2006 Asian Games in Qatar.
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One of Ryu's idols was Se Ri Pak, the first South Korean women's golfer to win a major title, claiming two in 1998. That year, aged 20, she was the youngest player to win the U.S. Women's Open.
The rise of South Korean women —
One of Ryu's idols was Se Ri Pak, the first South Korean women's golfer to win a major title, claiming two in 1998. That year, aged 20, she was the youngest player to win the U.S. Women's Open.
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Ryu was also inspired by "powerful and beautiful" compatriot Grace Park, who was the next Korean after Pak to win a major at the 2004 Kraft Nabisco Championship.
The rise of South Korean women —
Ryu was also inspired by "powerful and beautiful" compatriot Grace Park, who was the next Korean after Pak to win a major at the 2004 Kraft Nabisco Championship.
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Koreans won six majors in the next six years, and have dominated women's golf in the past two seasons. Inbee Park has moved to the top of the world rankings after winning the first two majors of 2013, and she beat her friend Ryu in a playoff at the last event before the U.S. Open for her fifth victory this season.
The rise of South Korean women —
Koreans won six majors in the next six years, and have dominated women's golf in the past two seasons. Inbee Park has moved to the top of the world rankings after winning the first two majors of 2013, and she beat her friend Ryu in a playoff at the last event before the U.S. Open for her fifth victory this season.
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